We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Generra Ingram-Hawthorne. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Generra below.
Generra, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
Imposter Syndrome (IS) is a form of self-doubt that affects people with intellectual, learned, inherited, and perfected skills. Personally, I have not completely overcome this; I have found ways to work around it. Imposter Syndrome tends to creep up on me whenever I embark on a new project or reach higher success. For instance, when I am in a room with other professionals, I sometimes wonder inwardly and outwardly, “Why am I here?” “Do I deserve to be here?” “Am I just filling a diversity quota?” These thoughts may overwhelm me at times. However, modifying my thoughts can help me push past this negative thinking. Instead of “Why am I here?” I remind myself that my hard work has paid off and I deserve to be here. This mindset change allows me to appreciate the moment instead of dwelling on negative thoughts.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a Job Seeker Advocate and Job Search Strategist with over 13 years of experience helping more than a thousand clients find meaningful employment, transition to new careers, and re-enter the workforce. What’s most rewarding about my work is the satisfaction of helping someone achieve a goal they thought was impossible and watching them transform their lives.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
In my experience, three critical skills that have helped me succeed are persistence, active listening, and flexibility. Persistence has allowed me to keep going even after experiencing significant setbacks. Active listening has taught me that there may be better ways to approach a problem than mine. Lastly, flexibility is key because every day in business is different. For those starting out, it’s essential to be open to feedback and not become defensive. Remember that you are the leader of your journey, and taking charge is okay; no one understands your vision better than you. Listen to others, but most importantly, listen to your heart. On difficult days, your mind may not be motivated, but your passion and purpose will always drive your heart.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
I advocate for books in a world where podcasts and opinions have replaced reading and facts. I have read several great books over the years; some of my favorites are Quiet (by Susan Cain), The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (by Stephen Covey), Dying For A Paycheck (by Jeffrey Pfeffer), and The Bible.
Contact Info:
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/urresumeurfuture/
