The Impostor Syndrome Files

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about what the US military can teach us about leadership. If you’re like me and have limited experience with the military, your perceptions are likely based on what you see in the movies. But there is a lot we can learn from the military’s approach to leadership. My guest this week, Ben Grimes, is a former U.S. Army helicopter pilot and military attorney who now coaches and consults with lawyers, law firms and other organizations to improve their cultures and performance levels. Here we talk about the importance of trust and empathy to human-centered leadership. About My GuestBen is a leadership coach and consultant who brings decades of leadership training and development experience. From his twenty-year career as U.S. Army helicopter pilot and military attorney to years as a federal government leader and recognized professionalism expert, Ben is a resource to lawyers, law firms, and other professionals working to shift performance and culture. With a focus on developing leaders grounded in principles of trust, transparency, empathy, and passion, Ben facilitates growth in personal capacity, organizational health, and enterprise success. Ben is, himself, passionate about the power and potential of leadership with a human lens. He holds a B.S. from the United States Military Academy at West Point and a law degree from New York University School of Law.~Connect with Ben:Website: https://www.bkgleadershipcoaching.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benkgrimes/ Email: ben@bkgleadershipcoaching.com ~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://www.kimmeninger.com/Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://www.kimmeninger.com/coachingJoin the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6Join the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumansSchedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-sessionConnect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/Website:https://kimmeninger.com

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about the power of storytelling to create greater connection and inclusion. But sharing our stories can be challenging, especially if we belong to marginalized groups. How do we stay true to what’s important to us when society tells us we’re not good enough? My guest this week, Mark Travis Rivera, is a Latinx, queer, disabled, gender non-conforming professional storyteller. Here he shares his own personal journey of using the power of stories to connect and fulfill his calling. We also talk about how we can all use vulnerability to empower ourselves and those around us. We talk about the power of storytelling to create greater connection and inclusion. My guest shares his own personal journey of using the power of stories to connect and fulfill his calling. We also talk about how we can all use vulnerability to empower ourselves and those around us. About My GuestTelling stories is at the core of Mark Travis Rivera’s purpose in life. He is an award-winning creative entrepreneur and the Chief Executive Officer + Founder of The Professional Storyteller.As a writer, Rivera’s bylines include The Bergen Record, Herald News, The Star-Ledger, Fox News Latino, and The Huffington Post. He was also a contributing author in the anthology, Crisis and Care: Queer Activist Responses to a Global Pandemic (PM Press, 2022), edited by Adrian Shanker. His debut collection, Drafts: An Imperfect Collection of Writing, was published in August 2017. He was also a contributing writer for Imagining: A Gibney Journal, where he shared his experience as a disabled choreographer and dancer.As a stubborn and determined 17-year-old, Rivera founded marked dance project(2009-2019), becoming the youngest person in the United States to create and lead anintegrated dance company for disabled and non-disabled dancers. Inspired by his desire to dance as a person with cerebral palsy, he would go on to help disabled and non-disabled dancers alike find their voice as artists.As a speaker, he has addressed audiences at various institutions of higher learning,including Harvard, MIT, Rutgers, and NYU. As a diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant and facilitator, he has spoken to corporate audiences virtually in the UK, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Israel, China, and India, just to name a few. His TEDx Talk, “Embracing Yourself, Embracing Your Potential,” was a smash in 2014 at Bergen Community College.~Connect with Mark:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-travis-rivera/Linktree: https://linktr.ee/marktravrivera ~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://www.kimmeninger.com/Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://www.kimmeninger.com/coachingJoin the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6Join the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumansSchedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-sessionConnect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/Website:https://kimmeninger.com

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about the scripts that guide us. We all have scripts that inform our behavior but how often do we stop to examine them to see if they still serve us? And how often do we update them when they aren’t working for us any longer? My guest this week, Kathy Hadizadeh, shares her perspective on the value of deep reflection in helping us to become our best selves. We also discuss the connection between impostor syndrome and anxiety, as well as strategies for how to manage these experiences, including the power of the pause. About My GuestKathy Hadizadeh is a highly accomplished former Tech Executive with an impressive 15-year tenure in the corporate world. Throughout her career, Kathy has worked with renowned Fortune 100 and 500 companies, including DIRECTV, AT&T, and Omnicom. Her vast experience spans across diverse industries such as Technology, Entertainment, Marketing and Advertising, Fintech and Biotech. In 2018, Kathy embarked on a new journey by founding Heart Mind Tuning, an exceptional agency dedicated to empowering senior leaders in the Tech, Product, and Engineering fields. At Heart Mind Tuning, Kathy offers a comprehensive range of services designed to enhance whole person leadership and executive coaching. With her expertise in Mindfulness practices, she enables leaders to bring about transformative change, both personally and professionally.Clients who have embraced Kathy's proven Pause to Rise Method have witnessed extraordinary results, experiencing a remarkable 50-70% increase in their executive presence. By mastering the art of pausing, reflecting, and rising with purpose, leaders are equipped to navigate challenges with clarity, authenticity, and resilience. Kathy's unique approach combines deep introspection with practical strategies, enabling her clients to unlock their full potential and achieve exceptional success.Elevate your leadership to new heights with Kathy Hadizadeh and Heart Mind Tuning. Discover the path to becoming a truly transformative senior tech leader, making impactful decisions, fostering meaningful connections, and propelling your organization to remarkable heights of achievement.~Connect with Kathy:Website: www.heartmindtuning.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kathyhadizadeh ~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://www.kimmeninger.com/Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://www.kimmeninger.com/coachingJoin the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6Join the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumansSchedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-sessionConnect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/Website:https://kimmeninger.com

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we move beyond impostor syndrome and talk about the effects of childhood pain and trauma on our experiences as adults. While it’s easy to say that, “the past is the past,” the reality is that our childhood experiences stay with us into adulthood. This week, I talk with Avi Wolfson about his journey to heal his childhood wounds, including the power of leveraging resources to help him do this important work. We also talk about how to share our authentic selves while protecting ourselves in the workplace. And, we talk about the importance of failure to achieving success. About My GuestAvi Wolfson leverages a career as a licensed realtor, professional salesperson, 3 time axe throwing champion, and best-selling author to help audiences directly as a professional speaker. Wolfson, an expert in resilience, entrepreneurship, and self-discovery, inspires others with his story of overcoming childhood trauma and mental health challenges and finding work-life balance. In addition, Wolfson is a proponent of failure as part of the success process, giving back positivity into the universe by paying it forward. Audiences and critics find Wolfson “creative, humble, honest and smart” and adept at growing organizations by “helping people into better positions where they’re happy and flourish.”~Connect with Avi:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aviwolfson/ Website: https://aviwolfson.com Website: https://allstarparent.substack.com~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://www.kimmeninger.com/Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://www.kimmeninger.com/coachingJoin the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6Join the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumansSchedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-sessionConnect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/Website:https://kimmeninger.com

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about the upper limit. Just as homeostasis keeps our bodies in a state of equilibrium, our minds tend to do this as well. Often, we set up an upper limit of what we think we’re capable of, or what we think we deserve, which becomes our own glass ceiling. My guest this week, Jill Avey, shares strategies for how we can push past this upper limit to better utilize our strengths and more confidently achieve our goals. About My GuestJill Avey helps women leaders get promoted to the Director and VP levels. She does this by supporting her clients to develop their strengths, increase their influence, and improve team performance while navigating gender bias. She believes that everyone has talents they haven’t yet fully realized. She is inspired to help her clients find deep fulfillment in their careers, both personally and financially. Her approach is grounded in research, applied behavioral science, and her own personal experience as an executive.~Connect with Jill:Website: https://sistersmart.com/Ikigai exercise: https://sistersmart.com/purpose ~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://www.kimmeninger.com/Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://www.kimmeninger.com/coachingJoin the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6Join the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumansSchedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-sessionConnect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/Website:https://kimmeninger.com

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about the trap of the comfort zone. It’s all too easy to get stuck in our comfort zones. Each time we choose not to take action, we reinforce the security of our comfort zones, which makes the outside world feel that much scarier. This week, I talk with Aaron Trahan, a former executive leader turned performance coach who now helps leaders reach their full potential. Here we talk about strategies to break free from complacency and the status quo to become the best versions of ourselves.About My GuestAaron has a 15+ year progressive background as a senior-level executive leader within public-company corporate environments & early-stage startups. Aaron’s leadership roles have included overseeing GTM strategy, operations, key growth initiatives, people & organizational development, & performance management. Aaron is passionate about leadership development, and most especially, helping professionals find their path from good-to-great. As a certified leadership & executive performance coach - Aaron leverages his background & training to support leaders with the implementation of systems, mental models, frameworks, growth programs, & external accountability that allows them to accelerate their path to operating as the best version of themselves and reaching full potential.~Connect with Aaron:https://linktr.ee/aarontrahan ~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://www.kimmeninger.com/Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://www.kimmeninger.com/coachingJoin the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6Join the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumansSchedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-sessionConnect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/Website:https://kimmeninger.com

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about the monsters under our bed. We all have them, but they look different for each of us based on our own experiences and beliefs. My guest this week is Sheila Buswell, CEO of Buswell Biomedical and author of the book, “Is This Seat for Me?” Here we discuss her journey with impostor syndrome, which stems not from her work experience but from her identity as a woman, having been told throughout her life that she’s “too girly,” or not “girly enough.” Sheila and I talk about why we experience impostor syndrome in some situations and not others. We also talk about the power of authenticity and vulnerability to slowly change systems around us. About My GuestSheila Buswell is the CEO/ Co-Founder of Buswell Biomedical. She developed the concept for the Upward Mobility in 2018. In 1997, she joined the Army, injuring her foot in Bosnia in 1998. After receiving a medical discharge in 2001, Sheila moved to Missouri to continue her education and help her sister with babysitting. She earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering in 2005 from Missouri University of Science and Technology (then UMR). Sheila holds an MS in Biomedical Engineering from Saint Louis University.~Connect with Sheila:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilabuswellbiomedical/~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://www.kimmeninger.com/Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://www.kimmeninger.com/coachingJoin the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6Join the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumansSchedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-sessionConnect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/Website:https://kimmeninger.com

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about reframing our mindsets. Much of our behavior and beliefs are guided by the stories we tell ourselves. So, if we want to create change, we need to examine those stories. My guest this week, Tammy Heerman, shares her perspective on the power of women’s empowerment programming and the value of sharing our stories with one another. We also talk about the freedom that comes with the understanding that we all, regardless of gender, share the same fears. What’s different is how we manage them. With this awareness, we can make more empowered choices about how we show up in our workplaces. About My GuestTammy Heermann is an award-winning leadership expert sought out by some of the world’s top companies for her programs that accelerate women’s advancement. In 2021, she published Reframe Your Story: Real Talk for Women Who Want to Let Go, Do Less and Be More-Together urging women to challenge the current narratives reinforced by society, systems and those of your own making. For over twenty years, she has helped change thousands of mindsets around what it takes to lead, both self and others. While having impact in the C-suite, nothing makes her happier than pushing up-and-coming leaders to break through organizational and self-imposed barriers to reach their potential. Tammy transforms her audiences with alternating moments of humor and heartache as she shares stories of her own journey from senior consultant to senior vice president. She is a perennial mentor with Women in Communications and Technology and is also addicted to the Peloton, Pilates and perogies. She lives in Toronto with her husband and daughter. ~Connect with Tammy:Website: www.TammyHeermann.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tammyheermann Instagram: @tammy_heermann ~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://www.kimmeninger.com/Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://www.kimmeninger.com/coachingJoin the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6Join the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumansSchedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-sessionConnect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/Website:https://kimmeninger.com

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about listening to ourselves so that can we choose our responses, not just react to our surroundings. Many of us are too busy to listen to our bodies, or we try to deny the signals they’re sending us. But we do so at our own peril. My guest this week, Vicki Bradley, is an executive coach and former retail executive who shares how her own experience with ignoring her body’s signals resulted in stress and sickness that forced her to make a career change. Here we talk about the need to listen to our hearts and bodies, so that we can make more empowered choices. We also talk about the power of support networks and asking for help.About My GuestVicki Bradley is the founder and CEO of Women in Leadership Empowered, executive coach, PCC, certified in EQ, CIQ. Primarily work with women in senior leadership roles and emerging leaders. Focus in on being a conscious leader, with a bold voice, and the confidence to achieve your dreams. Spent 25+ years as a Sr Exec and a number of iconic retailers. Currently working on a Transdiciplinary PhD.~Connect with Vicki:Website: www.wilempowered.comWIL Talk podcast: https://www.wilempowered.com/our-podcast/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicki-bradley/ ~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://www.kimmeninger.com/Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://www.kimmeninger.com/coachingJoin the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6Join the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumansSchedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-sessionConnect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/Website:https://kimmeninger.com

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about the power of optimism. This week, I welcome back Moshe Cohen, a lecturer, coach, mediator, and expert on negotiation. He is also the author of two books on optimism, which we dig into more deeply in this conversation. Moshe shares his own journey with optimism and the benefits he has experienced as a result. We also explore the connection between optimism and empowerment. And we discuss steps you can take to become more optimistic, particularly if it’s not something that comes naturally to you today.About My GuestMoshe Cohen has been teaching negotiation, leadership, conflict resolution and organizational behavior as founder of The Negotiating Table since 1995 and as a senior lecturer at Boston University's Questrom School of Business since 2000. He has worked with thousands of students as well as companies worldwide. As a mediator, Moshe has worked to resolve hundreds of matters, and also coaches executives, managers, and individuals on leading others and negotiating effectively. He is the author of two books - Collywobbles, How to Negotiate When Negotiating Makes You Nervous and Optimism is a Choice and Other Timeless Ideas. He has also written numerous articles and cases, and appears in podcasts, videos, and interviews. Moshe studied Physics at Cornell University and has a Master's in Electrical Engineering from McGill University, specializing in robotics. After a dozen years in robotics, he completed his MBA from Boston University and fell in love with negotiation, mediation, and leadership.~Connect with Moshe:Collywobbles, How to Negotiate When Negotiating Makes You NervousOptimism is a Choice and Other Timeless IdeasLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moshecohen/~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://www.kimmeninger.com/Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://www.kimmeninger.com/coachingJoin the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6Join the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumansSchedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-sessionConnect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/Website:https://kimmeninger.com