INTERVIEW
Leaders and imposters
At some level most of us have imposter syndrome. What does it cost us and the organisations we work for? Jess Pawley and Jo Walley will be exploring the problem and possible solutions on the second day of CILIP Conference 2023 on 12-13 July (
www.cilipconference.org.uk). Here they talk to Rob Mackinlay about some of the themes that are likely to arise.
DIFFICULT topics for individuals and institutions are raised in this Q&A ahead of a Conference 2023 panel on developing yourself as a leader and overcoming imposter syndrome. For example, is there a difference between leadership and confidence? Can you only be a leader if you already have confidence? Jess Pawley, who will chair the panel, believes some in the sector are too quick to sideline those who don’t have the confidence or sup- port to follow their ambitions. Jess, who was joint CILIP Mentor of the Year 2022, and Knowledge and Evidence Specialist at Som- erset NHS Foundation Trust, describes her own struggles and how having peer support and a mentor has helped her.
She will be joined on the panel by leader- ship coach Jo Walley who says everyone has imposter syndrome, but the impact it has on us at different times and in different circum- stances depends on our personal resilience.
Why are you interested in imposter syndrome and why is it a topic for conference? Jess Pawley – The timing of the confer- ence, and my being asked to chair a session on imposter syndrome and leadership, is particularly apt.
I have always struggled with low self-con- fidence and am only now really addressing
24 INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL
Rob Mackinlay(
rob.mackinlay@
cilip.org.uk) is a journalist at Information Professional
and challenging some of the barriers I’ve met along the way. I may be able to present a piece of work I have been doing, but ask me to speak positively about myself, either personally or professionally, and I can’t do it. I struggle to receive compliments and am likely to search for a negative meaning rather than a positive, in someone’s words. I have also seen others have their con- fidence tested within the workplace. One of the main reasons I mentor is because I enjoy helping people discover and learn about themselves. I will always make myself
June 2023
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