Regardless of how much effort you put in, carving out a professional career is rarely straightforward. You will be met with a multitude of new challenges and confront numerous intricate issues that might be foreign to you. No matter how thoroughly you have prepared, studied, or gained experience, there will surely be instances where all that preparation still leaves you feeling unprepared.
I’ve experienced that feeling of being overwhelmed, and it’s likely you will, too, regardless of your career path. The conventional wisdom suggests employing a “fake it till you make it” strategy. Simply act as if you are knowledgeable until everyone around you believes you are because they are unaware of otherwise.
From my perspective, this approach is ineffective. Firstly, it hinders your professional advancement rather than facilitating it, which undermines the original goal. Moreover, individuals who frequently “fake” their expertise take on tasks beyond their skill set. If you’re unsure of what you’re doing, there’s a considerable chance that you might make mistakes. Lastly, by “faking it till you make it,” you might develop detrimental habits that are tough to break.
For genuine success, invest time in acquiring the skills vital for your position. Not only will this transform you into an invaluable expert, but it will also prepare you to pursue future career advancements with confidence.
Fake it… until it catches up with you
One of the earlier roles I held was as a project manager. It was my first encounter working with an engineering team in a technical capacity. There was much that I was not privy to.
About a week into my role, my supervisor called for a meeting with their superior to go over my list of projects. As my superiors bombarded me with inquiries, it quickly became apparent that I was outside my comfort zone. It was a pivotal moment. Immediately, I approached my engineers and asked them to explain their work to me. Surprisingly, individuals often enjoy sharing their knowledge with those who express a genuine desire to learn.
There is immense corporate pressure to project confidence in your abilities; however, you stand to gain from resisting that impulse. Regardless of your role, acknowledging your limitations and showing a genuine interest in closing those gaps will lead to significant improvements.
Avoid the “fake it till you make it” mindset. Try this instead:
Unsure where to begin? These three techniques will prove immensely valuable:
1. Acknowledge your knowledge gaps.
Whether you’re a newcomer or have been with a company for several years, seek out individuals who possess the expertise you wish to gain and have discussions with them. Engage them in conversation and ask for recommendations on books, podcasts, and other learning materials to deepen your understanding. Trying to “fake it” and teach yourself tricky subjects on the fly will only complicate your journey.
Moreover, don’t shy away from asking what you perceive as “silly” questions. Contrary to what you might have heard, there are indeed such things as stupid questions, but everyone has posed them at some point. Every question represents a valid opportunity to learn. Conversely, opting not to inquire out of a misplaced sense of pride can lead to missed opportunities.
Reach out for advice from dependable friends, colleagues, and resources when tackling unfamiliar topics. This humble attitude can ease the process of learning something new and help alleviate the discomfort that sometimes accompanies vulnerability.
2. Concentrate on your personal growth.
If you’re engaged in “faking it” at work, you’re likely doing it for the benefit of others. Instead of attempting to deceive your supervisors and colleagues, adopt a mindset dedicated to your own development to become a better version of yourself.
When I stepped into an interim head-of-product position at another organization, I proactively sought guidance from the head of engineering to bridge my knowledge gaps. He recommended that I attempt the same coding challenges as the engineers, equipping me to engage in more meaningful discussions with my colleagues. Consequently, every exchange holds more substance.
Individuals with a growth mindset are perpetual learners. Focus on advancement and recognize that you can’t simply “fake it” to become smarter—but through genuine effort, you can achieve that growth.
3. Take initiative in your learning.
It’s unrealistic to expect your organization to provide you with all the knowledge you need. Make an effort to explore on your own time and venture outside the confines of the workplace.
Explore forums to gain alternative viewpoints and read reliable articles online. While it’s invaluable to request advice from those around you, it’s equally advantageous to enter those dialogues armed with foundational knowledge and research. This approach sharpens the conversation and enables you to contribute authentically.
The “fake it till you make it” philosophy originated as a response to imposter syndrome, functioning as a reminder that gaining experience takes time. However, it has evolved into something rather different—an approach that hampers those who adopt it.
Instead of perpetuating the “fake it” strategy in the hopes of not being discovered, embrace humility and a commitment to self-improvement by openly discussing the steps you’re taking to enhance your knowledge and abilities. This authentic stance will serve both you and your organization well as you progress along your career path.
