67: How Shrewd Ops Execs Escape the Trap of People-Pleasing & Imposter Syndrome

Find the full transcript and more resources for operations executives at yourfuturerealized.com/67.

Being an operations executive is no easy feat. Your attention is constantly pulled in lots of directions to keep the gears of your company running smoothly. And, you’re human, dealing with a lot of change, so you’re handling all of that while battling internal challenges like self-doubt. 

This is much more common than you probably think. Many leaders are out there facing the same challenges, and dealing with the dual pressures of people-pleasing and imposter syndrome. 

This invisible rock-and-a-hard-place situation can disrupt your ability to manage your time, leading you to say "yes" to every request and then second-guess your decisions.

The good news is: You can break free from this cycle.

In this episode, I'll help you untangle these challenges, and you’ll get a straightforward plan to reclaim your time. 

Transcript

Being an operations executive is no easy feat. Your attention is constantly pulled in lots of directions to keep the gears of your company running smoothly. And, you’re human, dealing with a lot of change, so you’re handling all of that while battling internal challenges like self-doubt. 

This is much more common than you probably think. Many leaders are out there facing the same challenges, and dealing with the dual pressures of people-pleasing and imposter syndrome. 

This invisible rock-and-a-hard-place situation can disrupt your ability to manage your time, leading you to say "yes" to every request and then second-guess your decisions.

The good news is: You can break free from this cycle.

In this episode, I'll help you untangle these challenges, and you’ll get a straightforward plan to reclaim your time. Find the full transcript and more resources for operations executives at yourfuturerealized.com/67.

Hey Ops Execs,

People Pleasing and Imposter Syndrome: The Hidden Duo

Are you feeling trapped by endless demands and expectations? It’s okay to acknowledge the stress this brings. Lots of leaders strive to please everyone, often sidelining their own priorities. This is people-pleasing at its core: Trying to manage other people’s emotions to calm our own.

Then there's imposter syndrome, that nagging little voice that questions your capabilities. It can push you to overcompensate, chasing an unreasonable ideal. 

Both people-pleasing and imposter syndrome stem from a fear of inadequacy and a desire for validation. They just show up in different ways. Together, they can exhaust you, leaving you with a scattered focus and an overwhelming schedule. Here are some ways they might be impacting you.

How External Demands Hijack Your Schedule

1.     Constant Distraction by External Demands: You might feel obliged to say "yes" to every request.

2.     Inability to Set Boundaries: Without firm boundaries, your schedule fills with tasks that don't align with your goals.

3.     Procrastination and Perfectionism: Hesitating to start tasks because you’re afraid you won’t meet the standard, and then trying to do it all at the last minute in a rush.  

4.     Overcommitment and Burnout: Taking on too much to prove your worth can lead to burnout and reduced effectiveness.

Creating a Personal Mission Statement: Your Leadership Compass

So, what can you do about it? Recognizing and naming your feelings is a vital first step. Leadership isn't about perfection. It's about speaking the unspoken, staying true to yourself, and making decisions that reflect your values, even if it means shaking things up in the short term.

To that end, developing a personal mission statement can be a great exercise. It’s a way to integrate your values and priorities into your daily work life. Time and time again, I’ve watched leaders create and leverage a mission statement to anchor themselves with so they can focus on what truly matters. 

Here’s a real-life example: A client in a tech firm crafted this statement: 

"I lead my team like a starship captain—courageously prioritizing innovation and empowerment, finding new ways to make our work more meaningful every day." 

This mission statement helps her prioritize innovation and teamwork, and it reminds her to stretch outside her comfort zone and delegate. It also reduces the pressure she typically imposes on herself to please everyone.

Revisiting a mission statement daily is a healthy habit that centers you on your priorities, and helps you get clear and find balance.

I’ll leave you with this question: What core values do you want to embody in your leadership, and how can these values influence your everyday decisions?

If this episode was helpful for you, I recommend checking out episode 49, “7 Steps for Ops Execs to Achieve Laser-Focused Productivity.” It’s available now at: yourfuturerealized.com/49.

You can’t stop the chaos, but you can change the game.