This article originates from a presentation at the Revenue Marketing Summit in London, 2022. Catch up on this presentation, and others, using our OnDemand service. For more exclusive content, visit your membership dashboard.
I'm Tom Livingstone, Head of Marketing at Talentful, and I want to share a personal story about imposter syndrome in the marketing industry.
It's a feeling that I shouldn't be here, constantly fearing that I'll be exposed as a fraud and lose my job. If this sounds familiar to you, you're not alone.
In fact, studies show that seven in 10 people experience imposter syndrome and my suspicion is that the numbers might be even higher in the marketing field.
Let's delve into the reasons behind this phenomenon by covering:
- My personal journey with fighting imposter syndrome
- Unveiling the roots of imposter syndrome
- Empowering strategies to cultivate confidence
- Tactical tips to overcome imposter syndrome
Fighting imposter syndrome: My personal journey
Kate Stanners, a prominent figure at Saatchi, describes imposter syndrome as that sickening feeling of being on the verge of being found out. This sensation often arises when we're entrusted with new responsibilities, leaving us questioning our abilities and wondering what we can possibly bring to the table.
So, why do I feel like I shouldn't be here? Let me provide a bit of background about myself. Over the course of my career, I've had the privilege of working at some reputable companies.
I started as a content writer and interned at Secret London, a media site that now boasts 1.6 million Facebook followers. Back when I joined, it had none. I had the freedom to write about whatever I pleased, and it was an incredibly enjoyable experience.
After that, I moved on to Badoo, the parent company of Bumble (which now effectively serves as the parent company of Badoo). During my time there, I held the position of UK Brand Lead.
Currently, I'm the Head of Marketing at Talentful. I joined the company when it was a UK startup, and we've since grown into a global scale-up operating in the UK, US, and Canada — truly a global reach.
Given my professional journey, one might assume I have every right to be here. However, imposter syndrome still affects me deeply. It's a topic that holds immense personal significance, and I wish someone had shared some of these insights with me earlier in my career. It could have saved me from a lot of unnecessary stress.
I hope that by sharing my story, I can offer guidance to those who are early in their careers and struggling with similar challenges. And perhaps, even managers and leaders can find a few valuable takeaways to support their teams.
