I am sharing this article written by Axios CEO Jim VandeHei.
For anyone who felt that they were minimalized or talked down to as a student, this is for them.
Finish Line: Weaponize the chip on your shoulder
Article by Jim VandeHei
This appeared first in Axios Finish Line, as Axios CEO Jim VandeHei’s weekly feature on hard-learned lessons for life and leadership.
This appeared first in Axios Finish Line, as Axios CEO Jim VandeHei’s weekly feature on hard-learned lessons for life and leadership.
Confession: Yes, that is a big chip on my shoulder.
- It was planted by the high school guidance counselor who told me I wasn’t smart enough for college. It was fertilized by my 1.491 GPA in Year 3 of college, validating her point.
- It sprouted fully the moment I landed in Washington, D.C., where most had fancy pedigrees and Ivy League degrees.
This was intimidating as hell for a small-town Cheesehead with one Supper Club plaid sports coat and little hope of a job.
- I’ve spent every year since, consciously or subconsciously, trying to prove I am smart enough to not just belong — but thrive.
Why it matters:
None of us wants to be insecure. But never underestimate the power your own insecurities can generate if you are aware of them and exploit them in a healthy way.
- Mine inspired me to try to outwork — and outthink — those I assumed had a head start or some educational or connections edge.
- I still like to read critics and naysayers for an extra jolt of motivation. Sometimes, I toss out an incendiary quote in the media to bait them. 😃
Truth is, we all suffer some form of imposter syndrome (save the true narcissists around us).
- Punchbowl’s John Bresnahan and I, back when we were reporters together at Roll Call, would talk about how after each scoop or big story, we would have no time to savor it — because we instantly worried if we could ever do it again.
- The insecurity led to a lot more scoops.
Here’s how to attack your own imposter worries:
1. Be honest with yourself.
Insecurities are often rooted in some truth. Try to understand your weaknesses, real or perceived, so you
can do something about them.
- Fear is a fabulous motivator.
2. Attack your weakness.
Do the small, daily things to overcome the nagging insecurity. First, try to mitigate it
and then turn it into a strength. You will be shocked how persistence and effort can ease limitations.
3. Weaponize the fury.
Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan famously looked for any slight by another player to manufacture motivation, knowing it provides an extra edge. He was maniacal about it, but the trick does work.
4. Give yourself grace.
I can’t sing. I can’t dance. I’m kind of lousy at Trivial Pursuits. At some point, it’s wasted energy to lament.
Double down on things you do well instead.
The bottom line: No sane person is as confident as they seem. We all carry baggage.
- The successful people in my life simply accept that — and do something about it.
Thanks to Axios, I was able to feature this great article from Jim VandeHei’of Axios! While not everyone will identify
with Jim’s article, but there will be people out there that do ( including me)!
My spin on Jim VandeHei’s article.
I know what it’s like to be talked down to.. and I had teachers who treated me like
I was a kid who couldn’t always keep up. That my parents were divorced and my mom worked 10-hour days, left me as
the “babysitter” for the family of 4 kids. I was responsible for a lot of chores: cooking, laundry, tidying up the house as well as doing my homework,.. and I had a part-time job.
My mother and the school counselor changed the schedule I had asked to have. I wanted biology. The counselor and my
mom put me in chemistry. I found myself in Honors classes: English, History/Humanities, and Spanish, along with the usual physical education and civics classes. The English Teacher was an AP teacher and I was surprised to be in that class.
I worked hard to juggle all the school work, my part-time job at a department store. I worked hard in my AP English class and I
was doing ok. The teacher often announced those who did some exceptionally good work. I was not on that list.
When the AP test results came back, the teacher made appointments with a parent (about 30-ish minutes).
The teacher scheduled meetings with each student in the class to give them their AP score. (1-5; the highest score was 5).
I was shocked when the teacher told me that I had gotten a “5”.. and she was surprised too that I did that well.
She told me that she didn’t think I had that kind of skill and ability. I was startled… at first by getting told I had scored a 5.
she told me that. Her tone hadn’t been congratulatory. She inferred that she hadn’t realized I had that knowledge and ability.
