Not sure I often feel like a fraud. It’s more like some time ago it became clear to me how many folk at high levels of various organizations were simply winging it, making shit up as they go along. In college and over the 1st decade or so of my career, I sorta assumed the professors, deans, chief executives, etc. had some greater skills, abilities, and experience. That has infrequently proven to be the case. And I’m confident my “winging it” is at least as good as just about anyone else’s.
Note - my line of work is essentially that of a professional bullshitter and bullshit detector, and I have limited experience in more technical/scientific/“skilled” professions.
‘Feel like’? Hell, I am one.
Oddly no. In fact, I would say that I have the exact opposite. I assume that nearly everyone I work with and for doesn’t know fucking shit about shit. And I’m usually proven correct.
I think it’s a function of having spent my entire career in consulting. People hire me (or the consulting firm I work for, of which I am a representative) because they have no clue and are looking to me (or my firm) to provide them answers.
For example, years ago, the head of my group and I flew out to Seattle to advice some lawyers on how to collect electronic data from some old backup tapes (something I literally know nothing about). I think the whole point of us being there was so the attorneys could say they had consultants from XYZ Consulting advising them while they argue with opposing counsel (both side, of course, equally knowing jack shit on the subject). Then my manager an I went and had an expensive steak dinner in the fanciest place in town, he flew home to go see his wife give birth and I spent the rest of the evening at a strip club before flying out the next morning.
Sure, when I’m working with more technical people like engineers and whatnot, you need to know what you are talking about otherwise it doesn’t work at all. But the point is, I’ve come to the conclusion that in the business world of salespeople, middle managers, lawyers, consultants and marketing reps, pretty much everyone is bullshitting.
I never feel like a fraud. If I don’t know about something, I’ll admit it, ask questions, or keep my mouth shut.
I truly can’t comprehend any other course of action. I either know what I’m doing or I don’t, and I learn how, or leave it alone. No shame in any of that.