Fake it 'til you Make it!

There's a term called 'Fake It 'til You Make It."  Everyone who starts a new job does all they can to fit in quickly.  The rationale of faking it until you make it is, despite your inner doubts and the roadblocks you may see ahead, you reach competency and your goals more quickly if you act like you're already there.  

Any new job brings with it feelings of excitement, hope and, if we are honest, a bit of apprehension.  In everyone's career, there are times when we try to advance, and hope that as we do, we won't fall flat on our face.  Sometimes, the first reaction people have when they are given a new assignment is "I can't do that!"  But then, as you consider the opportunity, you have to fake it until you make it.  Unless you are an expert in everything, you will have no choice!   

Take chances. Give yourself opportunities to excel and rise to the occasion.  Even confidence can be faked once in a while!  You can pull it off if you do your homework and believe in yourself. 

It's no crime to fake it in the beginning. Every successful person gave themselves the chance to pull it off, before they actually did.

Now, you need to keep in mind what you can fake, and what you can't.  Don't take on something about which you know you do not have the skills or knowledge.  That would be called 'fake it until you break it!' Faking it may sound like an endorsement of phoniness or pulling the wool over other peoples' eyes.  Not true.  It's not about being phony; instead, it is about trusting yourself enough to get your bearings in an uncertain situation.   

As a first-time manager, you may sometimes feel "out of your league" when you compare yourself with other leaders within your organization.  Keep in mind that the most senior executives in your company started out as first-time managers at one time in their careers. By creating a positive work environment and promoting open communication, you can win the trust and respect of your team and become a very effective leader!

                                                                         Lead with Confidence,
 

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