It doesn't matter if you think you can accomplish something, or you think you can't accomplish something. Either way, you'll always be right.

(Anonymous)

There is a truth as solid as gold, in life we get what we negotiate, not what we deserve. Beyond our preparation, whether we are right or wrong, what we have planned and the nobility of our purposes, we are ourselves and the vision we give to what we deserve and what we get. We would like both concepts to be identical, for our merits to be equal to our achievements. We know that's not the case. Suddenly, we realise that there are certain characters who achieve objectives and goals and we wonder why, how do they do it, if from our evaluation, we have greater and better credentials?

My dad used to tell me a joke when I asked him why this person could do certain things and I couldn't. A teacher once asked a boy in his class what he wanted to be when he grew up. The boy, in his innocence, replied that he wanted to be a fool. The teacher thought the student had misunderstood the question and asked the question again, only to get the same answer. "Let's see, explain to me why you want to be silly." "Because my dad always says: look at that fool who has such a nice house, look at that fool who drives such a luxurious car, look at that fool who has a good job..." Perhaps unknowingly, my father was giving me an empirical lesson on the combination of imposter syndrome and the threshold of deservingness.

The threshold of deserving and imposter syndrome are psychological phenomena that have a significant impact on the professional field. The interconnection between these concepts is an ineffective ally as it can limit personal and professional growth. It affects both the individual and the organization. It is very common to find that we feel that we will not be up to certain challenges or that we are not worth enough to have certain opportunities, even though the environment is giving us evidence to the contrary.

It's as if a little voice is whispering to us a list of absurd reasons not to raise our hand and offer ourselves as an option. However, with the right strategies, it is possible to overcome these challenges. It's not about decreeing that something must be a certain way. It is through the recognition and acceptance of these feelings and sensations that we will achieve conscious restructuring and move away from those self-inflicted sabotages. Of course, celebrating achievements, mentoring, and fostering a supportive culture also counts. Mentoring programs are very effective for people who are struggling with their threshold of deserving and imposter syndrome, I am a witness, and I can attest to the groups of people who have come to my office to have a mentoring program and the improvement in their professional and organizational results. Mentoring – individual and corporate – is a space that helps raise the threshold of deserving and reduce the feeling of imposture. Ultimately, we all deserve to recognise and enjoy our successes and live without the constant fear of not living up to it.

Imposter syndrome and low deserving threshold imbue an unnecessary level of stress into professional activity. This state of constant stress affects not only the individual, but also the dynamics of the team and the overall performance of the organization. People who don't believe they deserve their success are less likely to take on new challenges, seek promotion, development, or innovation. Fear of failure and being exposed as incompetent can lead to avoiding situations that require new skills or greater responsibility. Of course, this limits professional growth and the ability to contribute meaningfully to the organization. Of course, it also slows down the institution's performance.

Lack of confidence and excessive self-criticism are a vicious cycle that can lead to the individual missing out on promotion opportunities and limiting professional growth. Organizations are affected as leaders and team members suffering from imposter syndrome affect performance dynamics. Lack of self-confidence leads to over-reliance on colleagues which creates an imbalance in the distribution of work. In addition, the refusal to take risks or make decisions slows down processes and affects team efficiency.

An organizational culture that does not adequately address imposter syndrome and the deserving threshold can perpetuate these issues. Lack of recognition and support reinforces negative self-criticism and a sense of imposture among employees. It is crucial for organizations to promote an environment that values and recognizes individual and collective achievements, fostering confidence and self-esteem.

Strategies to overcome imposter syndrome and raise the threshold of deservingness can be applied in a mentoring program where you can talk openly about these experiences with colleagues, subordinates, and bosses. It can help normalize feelings and reduce their intensity. External validation and support can be very helpful in starting to change and realizing that we are capable and have the tools to achieve it.

It is also essential to learn to recognize and celebrate one's own achievements, no matter how small. Keeping track of successes and reviewing them regularly can help internalize accomplishments and build a more positive and realistic perception of one's capabilities. This practice strengthens self-esteem and raises the threshold of deservingness.

Seeking out mentors and mentoring programs is extremely beneficial. Mentors offer guidance, support, and validation, helping individuals view their accomplishments from an outside perspective. In addition, an experienced mentor can provide strategies and practical advice based on their own experience. Modern organizations foster a culture that values and recognizes individual and collective achievement through recognition programs that trigger professional development opportunities and help create an environment where leaders and subordinates feel valued and deserving of their successes. In this way, we will be able to build a bridge between what we deserve and what we get - well worth the attempt.