Dear Tony,

I just started a new job that is a huge “stretch” from my previous roles in my company. I’m going from engineering to a sales leadership role and I’m secretly terrified all day. I can’t help but feel like an imposter. I really respect my boss for offering me this role, but not I’m not sleeping well and afraid I made a huge mistake. -Frantic in Minneapolis

Dear Frantic,

I wish I could tell you there was a secret to take away your anxiety, but I can’t. What you are going through is very real, for many people, and the stress it creates can really push people to their limits. At its core, the topic you are bringing up is you have a lot of stressful energy that you have labeled as an “imposter” type feeling. Let’s talk about how to put this stress in perspective and use it in a positive way. We can’t eliminate it, but we can channel it to good use.

A lot of things come to mind so I’ll just start listing them one at a time:

1. Sometimes people get promoted not for their domain experience, but for their potential. Maybe you were promoted to this sales role to develop you for future leadership positions, and diversifying your background could be part of this.
2. You will be the most qualified to do this role the day you leave it. In other words, it’s quite normal to not feel super confident taking on a new job. Day by day, you will learn more and your experience will start to show through on your performance. Right up to when you leave the job someday.
3. To help manage the nerves, focus on doing a good job day by day. Don’t get lost in your head jumping at shadows or worrying too much. Focus on showing up today, planning well, and pretty soon you will have months of experience behind you.
4. Communicate professionally – make sure you are aligned with your boss and others who rely on you in your role. Your team, your peers, key stakeholders, and your boss should all be spoken to on a regular basis.
5. Communicate personally, but privately – find a trusted advisor at work, ideally someone who is not your boss but who has been through what you are going through. Share your emotions with someone who is a good listener and can be trusted to keep it confidential. Getting your thoughts out of your head and into a conversation can be a way to channel your energy in a positive direction.
6. Aim for developing “sea legs” – or the ability to stay calm and in control despite the appearance of chaos or change around you, just like an admiral walking on the deck of a ship while it’s heaving about from huge waves rocking the ship. Figure out what “sea legs” looks like in your role.
7. Have faith in your boss and their confidence in you. Most people, at some point in their career, have someone that sees more in them than they do in themselves. This is part of the growing process in your career, and it’s completely normal.

-Tony

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