We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ashley Chambless a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ashley , thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
I work in the faith-based film industry, and many people may not know that the leaders in this industry are almost exclusively male. Women have not always been allowed a seat at the table, particularly in extremely conservative circles. It is exceptionally easy for women to fall into the belief that they don’t deserve a seat at the table. That they need to be in an assistant role. For a long time, I believed that was true about myself.
I have always been my own worst critic. I’ve made a bad habit of assuming everyone knows more than, or better than, me. As I’ve advanced in my career, I’ve been able to work around this, by knowing I can outwork just about anybody. I can work harder and longer, and impress with the amount of good work I’m able to produce. Hard work and dependability stands out. But eventually, that’s not enough, and you have to learn to believe in yourself. Through work experience, a great, trusted network, and some therapy, I’ve finally come to believe I DO deserve a seat at the table. You do too. (And we might end up being better leaders than those who are already sitting there!)
In the past few years, as I’ve made a concentrated effort to become a leader in my field, it has become clear to me that just because someone has a higher title than me, or has been doing a similar role for longer than I have, doesn’t mean their way is the best or only way. There are many different ways to get results. And not only one right way. It’s so easy to fall into the habit of doing things the way your mentor or superior taught you, assuming they must know best. As I’ve grown and formed my own identity and opinions in this field, I’ve been able to find my own style. It’s become crystal clear to me how I want to conduct business my name is attached to.
Now I strive to find other people with the same values as myself. Those are the people I want to learn from, grow with, and conduct business with. There will always be people who don’t like you or seek to keep you down. Now I’ve built the resilience to go around them.
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 the Director of Brand Development at Provident Films, a division of Sony Music. The majority of my job is business development. I spend my time meeting with filmmakers and producers, and reading screenplays to find the next great story to bring to the big screen.
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?
• Be curious. Ask good questions, and always have a spirit of learning. • Don’t make promises you can’t keep. Under promise and over deliver.
• Be straight with people. A lot of people conduct business that is all talk, and no action. I try to be realistic with people about what I can or cannot do, and many people have told me that made me stand out. If we are passing on a project, I tell them, rather than never responding. People appreciate honesty.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
I am an introvert and have learned over the years that I NEED alone time, or I will pay with not feeling well, or not being the best version of myself. I try to build moments of quiet into even the busiest of days. Sometimes that means moving a meeting, not attending an event, or saying ‘no’ to something that is uncomfortable to say no to.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
None
