By Penny Power – Business Author & Human-Centred Speaker
Two weeks ago I had the great joy of being a guest (a plus one) of Hannah Power, (my daughter). She was speaking on a stunning River Cruise on the Danube for Tauck, the global River Cruise company. We had 5 incredible days and I would wake up in the bed next to her in this luxury cabin and think, ‘how did I get this lucky?’ That feeling inside of such deep love and gratitude that I have an adult relationship with her.
A topic that came up from one of the other speakers was ‘Imposter Syndrome’, the event was focused on Women in Travel, an audience of 100 Travel Advisors, from the USA. The time-out on the river gave me time to ponder the subject of Imposter Syndrome, and I wondered, why, with all the vulnerabilities I do have, how come I don’t have this one? We often hear about imposter syndrome, that inner voice that whispers “you’re not enough” or “you’re pretending.”
But what about the moment we decide: I can only be one me?
Mine came in 1997.
Hannah was five. I was 33. I’d just arrived at her school to pick her up. My absolute favourite moment of every day. Hannah came running out, beaming, holding her new Biff and Chip book. It was right at that moment a call came in from a client, I didn’t want to miss it.
So I answered it… and I lied.
I told the client I was at Waterloo Station, because I was ashamed of being seen as ‘just a mum’. I feared I’d seem unprofessional, distracted, not serious enough.
That moment broke my heart. For her. For me. A missed opportunity to celebrate with Hannah that she had moved up to the next level of reading.
But it was also the moment something changed.
Within 5 minutes, feeling horrid, I said to myself:
“This is me. Take me or leave me. I am one person, a mother, a businesswoman, a human being, with vulnerabilities, fears, desires, and a great deal of love to give.”
That was my anti-imposter moment.
The day I decided I would never again hide the truest parts of myself to feel worthy or impressive.
I share this now because I know so many of us are still caught in that trap, editing our lives to appear more competent, more available, more together.
But wholeness isn’t found in performance. It’s found in truth.
You are not two people, one professional, one personal. You are one magnificent, messy, beautiful human, and all of you belongs to this messy, beautiful world of business. We all need truth, it is those that are holding an identity of perfection that we are starting to see though now.
So this week, I invite you to ponder:
- Where in your life do you feel you have to pretend?
- Who might love the real you more than the edited version?
What could change if you stopped trying to be impressive and just let yourself be… whole?
I’d love it if you’d like to add your own comments on my LinkedIn post here.
With love,
