Business Analysis Homebase

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“I just so happened to ask the right questions and get the right people together at the right moment. After all, anyone else could have done the same thing.”

Sounds familiar? You have likely encountered Imposter Syndrome if you’ve had thoughts along those lines. It is okay!

Impostor Syndrome is a psychological occurrence in which an individual doubts their skills, talents, or accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a fraud. In more human terms, it often feels like, “Oh well, if I can do it, then anyone can,” followed by the concern that you might not be providing the value you’d hoped for or that your knowledge isn’t worth the salary or the title you’ve been offered.

While not the best advice, time builds experience, which will help; you’ll find more projects involving individuals who are unable to communicate effectively or understand the context of a project. That is when you will shine in your role because you will have all the tools necessary to navigate such an environment.

Business Analysis (BA) is a unique and difficult skill set, blending soft communication skills with technical knowledge. Not everyone possesses those skills, and they are what make you a valuable asset within an organization. Few people possess the ability to simply gather the “right people” and formulate the “right questions.” You must have sound judgement, be an effective communicator, and most importantly, be able to relate to others. We call those “people skills,” and not many individuals possess such soft skills.

When my Imposter Syndrome re-appeared four months ago, as I began a new journey in my career, I managed to cope by doing the following:

• I stopped comparing myself to other BAs. It is very easy to see yourself as the flawed one. Instead, I simply focused on gaining additional knowledge. I found it much easier to use others’ knowledge as a learning opportunity for myself. More often than not, I had the skill sets and competency already.
• I re-assessed my abilities. There is a saying that hindsight is a wonderful thing. It is true. Looking back at my previous roles and identifying my biggest accomplishments allowed me to evaluate the skills I used to achieve those. As it turned out, I am a people person, and understanding new technical processes come easier to me than I thought. Those are the very two skills I need to succeed in my current role.
• I took baby steps. More often than not, we start a new job thinking we must know everything about the new organization and our role within said organization. More often than not, we do not sit back and enjoy the first three months. I decided it was okay to take it as easy as possible, ask many questions, and enjoy the downtime as I navigated my new environment. I am being paid to do just that.
• Lastly, I simply refused to let my Imposter Syndrome hold me back. Never forget your goals. It does not matter if you simply need the income or aspire to be a Business Analyst Manager one day, a Product Owner, or a successful children’s book author. This current moment in your life is what will help you achieve that goal. Own it, and refuse to be held back.

We’re not experts in psychology or counselling, and sometimes the anxiety of imposter syndrome doesn’t go away. That’s okay too, and it might be valuable to seek advice or professional help; Global Mental Health Resources provides links to resources in your country that may be able to assist.

Madina

Updated: 12/08/2022