CEO: Self-doubt is a key to success—not a weakness
This is a snippet from the weekly CNBC Make It Work newsletter, written by Ashton Jackson.
I’ve had my fair share of imposter syndrome. As a first-generation college graduate, who also went to a historically Black college or university, jumping into the corporate world was a bit of a culture shock. I wasn’t sure at first if I belonged or how to fit in.
Most people, at some point in their lives, feel the same way on their career journey, but according to Cava CEO Brett Schulman, that lack of confidence isn’t a fatal flaw.
Rather, self-doubt can be exactly what you need to become highly successful, he recently told Wondery’s “How I Built This with Guy Raz” podcast.
“I think we all have a little bit of imposter syndrome — which isn’t the worst thing in the world, because it doesn’t allow you to get overconfident and think that you’re invincible,” Schulman said.
Anxiety can keep some people from making a case for a promotion or volunteering to take on a big project at work. Others can find it motivating: If I’m not good enough yet, I just need to learn more, or focus on self-improvement.
“The more successful someone is, the more self-doubt they have, because that’s what drives them,” real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran said at Fiverr’s "Bridge the Gap" webinar last year. “I’ve never met a secure person who was a stellar star.”
If you find yourself succumbing to imposter syndrome, tap into your network of friends, colleagues and mentors who can speak to your abilities and give you the tools you need to succeed, Schulman recommended.
Since I graduated in 2021, I’ve done just that, leaning on my network for guidance and support. Looking back, I see that self-doubt pushed me to apply myself beyond what I thought I was capable of, and now I feel more confident every day.
Recommended by LinkedIn
Check out the full story for more on Schulman's advice for what to do during "moments of doubt."
Are you looking to get your finances in order, but not sure where to start?
CNBC Make It just launched a new online course, which will teach you how to achieve financial wellness. In this course, you’ll learn how to break bad financial habits, form good ones and manage your stress about money.
Register now and use the code EARLYBIRD to save 30% with a limited-time offer: https://cnb.cx/4cQdHu4
More from CNBC:
Founder & Director |LinkedIn Expert & Entrepreneur |Positioning & Communication Speaker |Personal Branding Advisor & Coach |PR Consultant | Ghostwriter for CEOs | Learning Facilitator @MIT |Marketing Strategist
4moDenis Barbosa
Organizational Development Specialist | Driving Process Improvement, Change Development, & Innovation Through Technology Integration & Streamlined Communication
5moEncourages Self-Reflection: Self-doubt can prompt you to critically evaluate your skills, goals, and strategies. This reflection helps you identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments, leading to better outcomes. Motivates Learning: Doubting your abilities can drive you to seek out new knowledge and skills. This pursuit of continuous learning can enhance your competence and confidence over time. Promotes Resilience: Experiencing and overcoming self-doubt builds mental resilience. Learning to push through challenging times despite doubts strengthens your ability to face future obstacles. Fosters Humility: Self-doubt keeps you humble and open to feedback. This openness can lead to valuable insights from others, improving your performance and decision-making. Enhances Problem-Solving: Doubt can lead to more thorough problem-solving. When you question your initial assumptions, you’re more likely to consider alternative solutions and choose the best one.
Senior Operations Specialist at Cadence Bank
5moInsightful!
"Likes" receive comments-Never use AI in my comments-only accepting invitations to those w/ 500+ connections-You will need to Like my Posts-both of us must Benefit from this Connection
5moWas in straight commission Real Estate Sales many years-met with hundreds of people-One Day it dawned on me and I then realized I was a "paranoid" Salesperson-in commission you do a "deal"...then have to do another Deal-rinse and repeat to pay Bills-I was Paranoid at being the best Daily in an industry where 10% control 90% of the transactions-Self Doubt always creeps in-in Sales there is No room for self Doubt bc we are promoting ourself Daily(our brand)-as an aside many do Not themselves intimately-Once we have an Understanding of our Core being(who we are)...we can then proceed Forward on our Journey