Mentoring Through Challenging Times: Combating competency discounting

It’s not unusual for women to doubt whether they have what it takes to succeed in an elevated role, even if they are qualified, according to Dana Galin, who explains “competency discounting,” occurs when women diminish their strengths because they come more easily to them. The founder of executive coaching firm Imprint Leadership Partners and a Quorum Initiative Advisory Board member, Galin believes competency discounting can hold people back from recognizing what they bring to the table and keep them from applying for bigger roles and leadership advancement. To flip the internal script, she says, change your mindset:

● Own: Remember who you are and what you bring to the role. Take stock of your superpowers, both hard skills and soft skills such as emotional intelligence, an area in which many women excel. Ask someone who knows you well to reflect your strengths and accomplishments. Share them as facts and connect them to impact.

● Reframe: Shift limiting beliefs such as “I don’t want to toot my own horn” to “This is what I can contribute to achieve results.” This is not about ego. It’s about educating others on how to leverage you.

● Ask: Where do I underestimate myself? What has it cost me? Where am I currently minimizing opportunity by thinking I don’t know enough, haven’t done enough, and/or am not enough? What would the new role mean for me, my career and how I contribute to others

● Envision: Picture yourself in the new role. Consider the impact you could make and invite others to imagine what’s possible.

● Be Creative: When considering a new position, do not take the stated job requirements as gospel. Find ways to frame your experience to meet the desired outcomes of the role.