Imposter syndrome is defined as “a psychological experience in which a person suffers from feelings of intellectual and/or professional fraudulence.” When it shows up it can severely hamper the individual, impede performance, and destroy self worth.

In this episode, Glyn is in conversation with Sonia Mayor, a somatic therapist and leadership developer, and her client, Jo Cowling, People Director at Taylors of Harrogate, to unpack the layered reality of imposter syndrome - from both sides of the helping relationship.

Together, Glyn, Sonia and Jo explore how imposter syndrome shows up in leaders and why compassionate curiosity, not problem-solving, is a more liberating response when imposter syndrome does appear.

Additional resources

Ditching Imposter Syndrome by Clare Josa

Straightforward and highly practical. Includes neuroscience-informed strategies and tools, plus exercises you can bring into coaching.

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown

A great companion for work around shame, perfectionism, and authenticity—all of which intertwine with imposter syndrome.

Overcoming Impostor Syndrome: Ten Essential Tools by Elizabeth Harrin

Aimed at professionals and leaders, this concise guide gives a toolkit approach ideal for integrating into coaching programs.

The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women by Valerie Young

One of the most widely recommended books on imposter syndrome. Focuses on different "competence types" and offers actionable strategies.

Especially useful for women but applicable across genders..

Article on Imposter Syndrome by Sonia Mayor

Article on taking a befriending approach to Imposter Syndrome by Sonia Mayor

We all probably have aspects of ourself that we feel the need to hide from others in order to fit in and feel accepted. These elements of ourself can be referred to as our shadow and it can follow us around, taking us into the tricky realms of shame and guilt.

In this episode, Glyn Fussell and Marion Ragaliauskas explore ways of identifying, accepting and embracing our shadow. They explore whether there is another, creative way of working with these parts of ourself: how we can recognize what triggers our shadow and not let it create tension in our coaching work; how to channel our shadow energy for the good rather than the negative.

Additional resources

A Little Book on the Human Shadow by Robert Bly

The Long Bag We Drag Behind us by Robert Bly

A Guide to Shadow Work by Michelle L Geldenhuys

Discover your Subpersonalities: Our inner world and the people in it by John Rowan

The Reith Lectures

The fourth and final of our four short episodes in our mini-series on resilience for coaches. This series will focus on resilience over three key areas: the head (mental resilience); the heart (emotional resilience); and the soul (spiritual resilience).

Spiritual resilience is all about being in touch with who you are at your very core. Knowing what matters to you can ensure you are able to make the choices and decisions that are right for you. Listening to, and being in touch with your inner voice can be a real help for you the coach, and your clients.

In this episode Glyn Fussell and resilience coach Jane Bytheway explore what we mean by spiritual resilience. Jane offers tools and techniques that may help you strengthen your spiritual resilience which in turn will help you support your clients.

Additional resources

Ted Talk by Michael Bungay Stanier on ‘How to Tame your Advice Monster’ https://youtu.be/Kl0rmx7aa0w

Michael Bungay Stanier - The Coaching Habit (book)

Time to Think by Nancy Kline (book)

The Coaching manual by Julie Starr (book)

Coaching for performance by John Whitemore (book)

The Oasis Seven stage model (pdf) & audiobook