The Impostor Syndrome Files

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about the human experience at work. Regardless of our roles, tenures, backgrounds, etc., at the end of the day, all any organization is a collection of humans – humans with very complex emotions, experiences and insecurities. For much of history, the expectation has been that we essentially check our humanity at the door when we enter the workplace. But what if that’s not only a flawed design that hurts humans but also one that hurts businesses? After all, your ability to achieve business results depends entirely on the well-being of your people. My guest this week, Brian McComak, founder of Hummingbird Humanity, shares his vision to bring human-centered cultures to the workplace. About My GuestBrian McComak is the CEO & Founder of Hummingbird Humanity. He is a consultant, speaker, author, and facilitator with over 25 years of experience in DEI, HR, culture, change management, internal communications, and employee experience. He is an openly gay man and a person with a disability who shares his lived experiences in service of fostering workplaces where humans thrive.Before starting Hummingbird Humanity, he was the Global Head of Inclusion for Tapestry – the home of Coach, Kate Spade & Stuart Weitzman – where he developed and launched the company’s DEI strategy. He put Tapestry ‘on the map’ as a great place for inclusion, earning recognition from the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, Women in the Workplace, and Forbes’ Best Places to Work for Diversity.Brian has also held leadership roles at leading global companies including The Walt Disney Company, L’Oreal, and Christie’s Auction House. His internal experience spans a diverse variety of industries including fashion/retail, hospitality, auction, entertainment/media and he has consulted with organizations in technology, financial services, media, and non-profit.Join Brian in working to create a world where we accept each other, celebrate our differences, and recognize that we truly are better together.~Connect with Brian:HummingbirdHumanity.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bmccomak/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianmccomak/ ~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://yourcareersuccess.com/impostor-syndrome-challenge/ Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://yourcareersuccess.com/leading-humans-discussion-group/Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6 Join 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-session Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/ Websites:https://yourcareersuccess.comhttps://impostorsyndromefiles.com

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about the power of pushing through our fears and doing the things that scare us. Many of us stay in our comfort zones and avoid taking risks because we’re unsure of the outcome or we don’t have a perfect plan yet. But doing that is not neutral. It leads to regret and missed opportunities. My guest this week, Kathleen Taylor, shares how her curiosity and willingness to connect with others has led her in meaningful new directions. We also talk about how we can all get more comfortable not knowing. About My GuestKathleen Taylor is a self-described storyteller, who believes that everyone has a purpose and a dream and always has had a passion for learning about other people’s stories.  At a young age, Kathleen’s love for travel, music, adventure, and curiosity of people was evident.  She would run around her neighborhood with an old tape recorder of her mom’s, eager to interview anyone in site and would spend hours listening to their conversations.  Throughout elementary school her heroes were Anderson Cooper and Lisa Ling who she watched every morning from school on their news show.  Kathleen has spent her career speaking with brilliant scientists and engineers across the globe, connecting them to impactful teams.  She offers strategic insight to her leadership teams to support long-term growth development and business plans.  But if you ask Kathleen what she is the proudest of throughout her career, it would always be the trusted partnerships and collaboration she has built with her people.  Originally from West Chester, PA Kathleen attended Dalhousie University in Halifax Nova Scotia, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology degree and spent years studying as a classical pianist.  The world is Kathleen’s favorite destination.  She has grown in her professional development working in both Canada and the U.S and has spent several years working as an ESL teacher for children throughout China.  Her drive for adventures and passion for learning about other cultures has taken her to places such as Vanuatu, Fiji, Taiwan, Japan, France, Monaco, and Australia where she lived for 2.5 years.  Kathleen loves learning different perspectives through the eyes of other people, and she’s an individual who believes you are only one decision away from creating a new you.~ Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://yourcareersuccess.com/impostor-syndrome-challenge/ Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://yourcareersuccess.com/leading-humans-discussion-group/Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6 Join 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-session Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/ Websites:https://yourcareersuccess.comhttps://impostorsyndromefiles.com

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about the power of vulnerability. Most of us don’t feel comfortable being vulnerable when we feel like an impostor. We look around and think that everyone else has it all figured out. So, we wear our masks and pretend that everything is fine. My guest this week, Kris Kelso, author of the book, Overcoming the Impostor, shares his perspective on vulnerability and how it can help us normalize impostor syndrome, create safer spaces for those around us and help us to better trust the compliments we receive.About My GuestKris Kelso is a keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and is the author of “Overcoming The Impostor: Silence Your Inner Critic and Lead with Confidence“. Trained and certified as an executive coach, Kris has worked with hundreds of entrepreneurs, business owners, and their leadership teams. He is a faculty instructor at the Professional Christian Coaching Institute, an advisor and instructor at the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, and is a contributing writer for publications including Fast Company Magazine, Yahoo Finance, and The Nashville Business Journal.Kris has founded multiple companies and has served on the boards of directors of several non-profit organizations. He is an active member of Cornerstone Nashville, where he serves, teaches, and coaches other leaders. He lives with his wife and three teenaged sons in a suburb of Nashville, Tennessee.~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://yourcareersuccess.com/impostor-syndrome-challenge/ Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://yourcareersuccess.com/leading-humans-discussion-group/Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6 Join 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-session Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/ Websites:https://yourcareersuccess.comhttps://impostorsyndromefiles.com

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about asking for help. Many of us love to help others but we are uncomfortable asking for what we need. But what if not asking for help not only hurts us but also hurts those who would otherwise help us? My guest this week, Emmett Tomkinson, shares their vision of our world as a collective that is designed to share help and that those who give help benefit just as much as those who receive it. We also talk about how you can get more involved in this effort. About My GuestEmmett Tomkinson lives in Seattle with their wife and two kids. They work as a Customer Success Specialist Engineer in the tech space. They have a unique gift of excelling both technically and interpersonally and are driven by a love for helping people. They are originally from Utah - born and raised in a very conservative religious environment. As a member of the LGBTQ community, this religious upbringing has had a big impact on their life. They recently came out as transgender - female to male - and currently use they/them pronouns. Emmett is a musician and they love to sing, play the guitar, and play the piano. They like to spend their free time playing Zelda with their kids or working out in the yard.Connect with Emmett here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmett-tomkinson-%F0%9F%8F%B3%EF%B8%8F%E2%80%8D%E2%9A%A7%EF%B8%8F-08400a67/About Unified Collective: helping people help each otherUnified Collective is a group dedicated to helping people help each other. Through an online forum, members of the community can reach out for assistance, and other members can respond to those needs. These help requests will come in all shapes and sizes. Some examples might include:Help talking through a tough situation with your boss or a co-workerHelp getting a second pair of eyes on your resume for typos or formatting errorsHelp feeling uplifted on a gloomy day. Maybe there’s someone in another part of the world who can share some sunshine over a video chat.Help staying accountable to a commitment you’ve made to yourselfHelp understanding how to navigate the stock marketFind out more about this initiative in the Show Notes.~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://yourcareersuccess.com/impostor-syndrome-challenge/ Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://yourcareersuccess.com/leading-humans-discussion-group/Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6 Join 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-session Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/ Websites:https://yourcareersuccess.comhttps://impostorsyndromefiles.com

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about the power of writing at work. For much of our early lives, we write to be judged or graded by our teachers. When we transition to the workplace, the goals of our writing change, which can lead us to doubt ourselves or overthink our writing. My guest this week, Erin Lebacqz, an expert in business writing, shares her perspectives on how we can all become more confident, effective writers in the workplace.  About My GuestErin Lebacqz created the High-Value Writing program to help business writers develop more clarity and confidence in their writing. Her new book, High-Value Writing: Real Strategies for Real-World Writing, is based on conversations with thousands of writers around the world, and provides down-to-earth strategies and examples. Erin has been teaching writing for 25 years, both in the United States and internationally. ~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://yourcareersuccess.com/impostor-syndrome-challenge/ Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://yourcareersuccess.com/leading-humans-discussion-group/Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6 Join 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-session Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/ Websites:https://yourcareersuccess.comhttps://impostorsyndromefiles.com

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about our addiction to the status quo. Each one of us is bombarded with messages about what we should do and who we should be. But those “shoulds” are rarely a recipe for happiness and fulfillment. My guest, Kathryn Burmeister, shares her journey of transitioning from a lawyer, a role she always dreamed about, to an entrepreneur focused on helping other lawyers find greater happiness in their lives. We also discuss our own mental health journeys and why it’s so important to have these conversations.About My GuestKathryn Burmeister makes a point to live every day. As a human being, she channels her passion for others into animal rescue, charities, and other causes. She is an entrepreneur, attorney, author, speaker, and guide to high-level service professionals.Kathryn has served on the Board of Directors for Ahimsa House, a non-profit that helps domestic violence survivors and their pets get out of abusive situations. She is a member of Animal Legal Defense Fund, a non-profit whose mission is to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system, and is a member of their Pro Bono Program network; a member of the ACLU, a non-profit that works through the legal system and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and the laws of the United States guarantee everyone in this country; and a member of the Female Founder Collective, a network of businesses led by women, that enables and empowers female owned and led businesses to positively impact communities, both socially and economically. She is also a member of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, whose mission is to protect the Constitutional promise of justice for all by guaranteeing the right to trial by jury, preserving an independent judiciary, and providing access to the courts for all Georgians.Though she never anticipated having her own business, after a number of tumultuous events, Kathryn started her own law firm, Burmeister Law Firm, LLC, in October of 2018 and focuses exclusively on personal injury by giving a voice to those that have been hurt because of someone else.She formed her personally branded business, Kathryn F. Burmeister, LLC. Known as The Happiness Lawyer™, she speaks, writes, and guides high-level service professionals towards living a full life (both personally and professional) of happiness. She wrote her first book, “Overcoming Addiction to the Status Quo,” in 2020.~Connect with Kathryn:https://Kathrynfburmeister.com~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://yourcareersuccess.com/impostor-syndrome-challenge/ Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://yourcareersuccess.com/leading-humans-discussion-group/Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6 Join 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-session Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/ Websites:https://yourcareersuccess.comhttps://impostorsyndromefiles.com

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about how giving yourself permission to be a beginner empowers you to overcome perfectionism and impostor syndrome and stretch and challenge yourself in new ways. My guest, Lesley Logan, shares her journey from an unfulfilling career in the retail industry to a Pilates instructor and how this helped her to strengthen her relationship with herself, mentally and physically. We also talk about the power of discomfort in building the muscles we need to advance our careers.  About My GuestLesley Logan, a certified Pilates teacher, breathwork, habits and mindset coach, is the founder of OnlinePilatesClasses.com, the first free online catalogue of Pilates exercise tutorials, where you can also find weekly Pilates classes and workshops. Teaching Pilates since 2008, she has run multiple studios, has trained hundreds of people to become teachers themselves and has taught thousands of students. When not teaching from her studio in Las Vegas, Lesley she’s hosting her podcast Be It Till You See it or traveling the world-leading Pilates retreats.~Connect with Lesley:lesleylogan.co/podcast onlinepilatesclasses.com/free Instagram: @be_it_pod @lesley.logan ~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://yourcareersuccess.com/impostor-syndrome-challenge/ Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://yourcareersuccess.com/leading-humans-discussion-group/Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6 Join 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-session Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/ Websites:https://yourcareersuccess.comhttps://impostorsyndromefiles.com

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about bringing more humanity to the workplace. My guest, Mike Thompson, founder of Spark Recruiting, shares his journey with impostor syndrome and how he views his investment in his mental health as just as important as his investment in his physical health. We also talk about how to re-imagine the hiring process to increase diversity and ensure that the right people are promoted to leadership. And, finally, we talk about the role of micro-disruptor that we can all play to transform our workplaces. About My GuestMike Thomson has been in the recruitment agency industry for thirteen years. He launched Spark at the end of 2021 with the goal to change how everyone attracts top talent. Hiring is uninspiring, generic, faceless, and lacks personality but not anymore. He is an entrepreneur, matchmaker, sales professional, storyteller, father, athlete and optimistically curious about people.For more information on Mike, go to his website https://www.sparkrecruiting.ca/ and connect with him on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikethomsonrecruiter/ ~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://yourcareersuccess.com/impostor-syndrome-challenge/ Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://yourcareersuccess.com/leading-humans-discussion-group/Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6 Join 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-session Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/ Websites:https://yourcareersuccess.comhttps://impostorsyndromefiles.com

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about the power of bringing professionals of all genders together so that we can better understand and support each other. My guest, Jake Fishbein, and I share our journey of leading conversations about the gender experience in the workplace and discuss how surprised we were to learn that our experiences are far more similar than different. We also talk about the importance of psychological safety to these discussions and how we can all take ownership of creating a better workplace.About My GuestJacob “Coach Jake” Fishbein is an Executive & Personal Coach who specializes in helping people and teams make and navigate their most pressing choices. He’s passionate about helping men and women make proactive decisions and pushing their endeavors forward in purposeful and powerful ways. For him, coaching is all about learning - learning about yourself, your choices, your results, and how you can choose differently to create something new for you and the people and communities you impact.Coach Jake received his professional coaching certification from the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC), is a PCC accredited coach through the International Coaching Federation (ICF), and is an ACE Certified Coach (Accelerating Coach Excellence) after training with David Peterson (Former Director of Executive Coaching & Leadership at Google) and David Goldsmith (pioneer of the coaching industry).Before becoming a full-time coach, Coach Jake was a publicist for Jonathan Marder + Company, the general manager for Footnote Records, and the co-founder and COO of Experience Vinyl. He graduated magna cum laude from Kenyon College with a B.A. in History, and two track & field school records.~Connect with Jake:www.jakefishbein.comwww.arenaseries.com~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://yourcareersuccess.com/impostor-syndrome-challenge/ Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://yourcareersuccess.com/leading-humans-discussion-group/Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6 Join 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-session Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/ Websites:https://yourcareersuccess.comhttps://impostorsyndromefiles.com

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about how to show up as allies to the LGBTQ community in the workplace, including why it’s important to use pronouns correctly, how to manage microaggressions and how to help people feel safe at work. My guest, Sarah Scala, a consultant with a specialty in LGBTQ coaching, shares her experience as a member of the community and what we can do to better support members of underrepresented groups in the workplace.  About My GuestSarah A. Scala M. Ed & OD, PCC (She/Her/Hers) Serving as consultant, coach, and educator, Sarah Scala’s experiential and high-energy approach increases client revenue, reduces turnover, creates business value, and transforms performance of executives, leaders, and teams, helping them reach their highest potential. She provides organization and leadership development, executive coaching, change management, public speaking facilitation, and team development solutions. She supports US-based and global clients across cultures, generations, geographies, and diverse industries. She has extensive experience working with organizations that strive to balance excellent performance, in addition to supporting LGBTQ+ leaders. Learn more at: https://www.sarahscala.com/about~Connect with Sarah:LINKEDIN:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahscala/WEBSITE: https://www.sarahscala.com/NEWSLETTER: https://www.sarahscala.com/joinYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChB6B0DjdUY3JDVovwd8JXQ Coming out as an LGBTQ+ Business blog: https://www.sarahscala.com/blog/coming-out-as-an-lgbtq-businessHow I got here blog: https://www.sarahscala.com/blog/how-i-got-hereLGBTQ+ Solutions: https://www.sarahscala.com/lgbtq-solutionsLGBTQ+ Coaching: https://www.sarahscala.com/lgbtq-coaching ~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://yourcareersuccess.com/impostor-syndrome-challenge/ Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://yourcareersuccess.com/leading-humans-discussion-group/Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6 Join 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-session Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/ Websites:https://yourcareersuccess.comhttps://impostorsyndromefiles.com