As an employer your leadership style can assist to address Imposter Syndrome and foster an inclusive and positive working environment. I recommend a number of strategies:

• Provide regular opportunities for feedback 
  It may be a scheduled and structured catch-up, or an informal but regular discussion. Give your employee both positive and constructive feedback, provide assistance to recognise any areas in which they are anxious or challenged and celebrate their successes with them. Encourage your employees to accept praise and compliments and to know their worth within your business.
• Have an open and honest relationship
  Be available to your employee to come to you when they need to, to voice any concerns before they become an issue. Be open and honest in your discussions. Depending on the size of your business and structure of your team another effective measure is for experienced employees to provide coaching and mentoring to their colleagues, providing individuals with another avenue of support.
• Provide training and development opportunities 
  This should include personalised employee development and overall business training. Offering a range of training and development benefits a positive team culture, improved productivity and satisfied and enriched employees.
• Allow for access to wellness services. 
  Larger organisations may have a dedicated service or person to address workplace health and safety, including mental health and wellness. For smaller businesses this normally falls upon the business owner/manager. I recommend reaching out to the following for advice, assistance and support:
  o  Manawatu Chamber of Commerce
  o  EAP Services
  o  Business NZ
  o  Studio Rubix for corporate mindfulness training.
• Consider your wider team environment
  Often a sufferer of Imposter Syndrome will feel marginalised due to their gender, race or beliefs.  Ensure you create an environment inclusive and accepting of all individuals as part of your overall wellness programme.  In doing so, you will destigmatise the Imposter Syndrome for the benefit of your entire team.

The past few years have demonstrated the importance of a structured health and wellness strategy within your business. For businesses to be successful and retain satisfied and engaged employees, an employer needs to understand their needs. PN Personnel’s Drivers Assessment can assist you to determine an individual’s motivations and personal drivers and is a useful tool to use as the base of discussions for training or as part of individual appraisals. Contact us to learn more.

*Source: Human Resources Director