I realized my impostor feelings often stemmed from trying to meet perceived expectations. To combat this, I started journaling my triggers. Note situations that spark impostor feelings, and observe patterns. Do you feel inadequate during evaluations or when learning new skills? Next, create a 'reality check' list. For each trigger, write down evidence of your competence and past successes. Refer to this list whenever doubt creeps in. This not only identifies triggers but reaffirms your authentic self. Here’s a critical insight: you can't be an impostor when you're authentic. Embrace your unique approach and values. Remember, personal branding thrives on authenticity, not on meeting others' expectations."

Your value proposition extends beyond skills and qualifications; it encompasses character strengths, experiences, as well as your future potential. To effectively showcase this, identify your core benefits. Are you a resilient leader, an empathetic communicator, or a visionary innovator? Reflect on how your unique experiences and story shape these attributes. Highlight a challenging experience you overcame, a network collaboration that led to success, or how you plan to impact your field in the future. Remember, people connect with stories and results, not just qualifications and tools. Congruence is key in fighting impostor syndrome. Your personal brand should reflect the same values, whether in the spotlight or behind the closed doors.

What do you call the person who graduated at the bottom of his medical class? A doctor. It doesn't matter if you are not the absolute best expert for the problem you are tackling. You just need to provide the solution to the problem. Imagine you have the gas pipe leaking in your kitchen and the whole house is filling with gas. You immediately call an expert and he arrives promptly, ready to go. Do you ask him, "Wait a minute, are you the best gas repairman in the world? Can I see some credentials? can I see some proof?" No! You just ask him to get the job done. And do you really care whether he is the 5th best gas repairman in town? If he can get the leak fixed and save your house, he is as good as the best.

Additionally, your personal brand is NOT just about your skills and is about WHO you are and you will connect with people /prospects with similar background and stories, not just your skill. while showcasing your value proposition is absolutely necessary, showcasing your opinions and points of view will help you connect with people that already think like you and repel those who aren't ( that is actually a good thing, is called brand affinity)

Consider your personal brand as your own 'secret sauce,' just like the Big Mac's iconic flavor - a blend that's uniquely yours and hard to replicate. In this mix, your skills, attributes, experiences, knowledge, perspective, and values come together, bound by your character. This blend is what sets you apart, and NO ONE can replicate it. Own it and celebrate yourself for everything you bring to the table. Acknowledging your uniqueness is critical in combating impostor syndrome. It's about embracing and being honest about your experiences, strengths, and even gaps. Remember, impostor feelings will be the strongest when you are trying to be someone you are not. Vulnerability, in acknowledging what you know and what you don't, is a strength.

When we used to do fashion photoshoots for apparel brands, we worked on a lot of video content too. This was before all the AI video editors came into existence. FCP was our weapon. Edit reels that were sort of basic for us, were something clients were wowed by. And we always used to wonder why they are going gaga over these basic jobs. "Anybody can do this" we thought. But it was when we worked with a large movie production team that we realized the work we were doing was actually quite high level. It just came naturally to us and we did not realize its value. There are many times when things that come naturally to you, amaze onlookers. And you don't realize how unique you are. Realize & embrace it. That's the value you bring to the world.

Embracing your uniqueness is Right! but it starts with KNOWING your uniqueness. What makes you , YOU? do you know? start with self discovery and make sure you are clear on what you bring to the table personally and professionally. At the beginning it may be more of your personality and your expertise will take over as you get better at your craft and you have more success stories, this will help the imposter syndrome start going down. However, in my experience working with 100's of women, it never dissapears.

Navigating the realms of personal branding and soft skills can be a transformative journey, especially when grappling with imposter syndrome, but acknowledging and leveraging your authentic strengths can be the key to building a genuine and impactful personal brand.

Sometimes seeing and hearing another perspective can help you view yourself in a different light and this is where coaches can add value in overcoming impostor syndrome