In this Leadership Links masterclass, we welcome Kirsty McWilliam, Founder of ThinkEQ as we explore how to tame our inner critic.
We will embark on a journey of understanding, normalising, and transforming the thoughts associated with imposter syndrome. The session is designed to shift our perception from seeing imposter syndrome as a debilitating issue to viewing it as an insightful and valuable experience.
We’ll begin by exploring what imposter syndrome is and how it manifests. Many high-achieving individuals experience persistent self-doubt and a fear of being exposed as a “fraud,” despite their accomplishments. This phenomenon is more common than we think, and acknowledging its prevalence is the first step towards normalising it.
Next, we’ll delve into the power of curiosity. By becoming curious about our imposter thoughts, we can start to see them not as obstacles but as information. What do these thoughts tell us about our values, our goals, and our perceived gaps in skills or knowledge? Curiosity allows us to investigate these areas without judgment, turning a critical eye into a compassionate one.
We’ll discuss practical strategies to harness this curiosity and Kirsty will introduce techniques to help you observe your thoughts without being led by them. Reflective questions will be tools we explore to keep curiosity at the forefront of your response to imposter feelings.
Through this session, Kirsty aims to help us understand that imposter thoughts are a normal part of growth and achievement. By normalising these thoughts, we strip them of their power to paralyse us. Instead, we use them as a springboard for action, identifying areas for development and setting goals for progress.
Ultimately, you’ll leave this talk with a fresh perspective on imposter syndrome. You’ll learn to embrace curiosity as a means to transform self-doubt into self-discovery, empowering you to move forward with confidence and clarity.
Kirsty McWilliam
Role:
Emotional Intelligence Executive Coach and Founder of Think EQ
Kirsty is an Executive Master Coach and a Master Practitioner of the EQ-i 2.0 model, the world’s first scientifically validated emotional intelligence tool.
She began her career as a chartered accountant, followed by a decade as a senior consultant in business restructuring at KPMG and PwC. During her tenure at PwC, Kirsty’s interest moved from the business models to the people behind the business, which led her to establish Think EQ in 2008.
Kirsty’s emotional intelligence work frequently touches on the hot topic of imposter syndrome and she has spoken widely on the subject. She is an advocate for a shift in how we perceive it. She argues that we should stop calling it a syndrome and start to see it as normal thoughts of capable people!
Accredited by the Association for Coaching to provide coach training, Kirsty also serves as the lead trainer for the Think EQ Accredited Award in Coach Training. She adopts an EQ-centric approach, training the next generation of Emotionally Intelligent coaches. Additionally, she is certified to deliver EQ-i 2.0 Certification training, heading up the only accredited centre in Scotland.
