“The partner pipeline courses are designed to generate “high performers” (HP).  Having been here 10 years, management has communicated to me that they consider me an HP.  I genuinely appreciate their feedback, and I work hard to move the firm in the direction I’d like to see it go.  But it’s not often that I actually feel like an HP. I’m acutely aware of the need to maintain communication and relationships with clients and colleagues, and the need for professionalism in every area of work.  But I still miss self-imposed deadlines, always seem a few weeks behind, become easily distracted, and wrestle with the “am I doing enough?” question.  In your experience, is this a common trait among HPs? I have tried to observe HPs in my own world, determine how they appear so efficient and organized, and apply that to my own workflow.  Still working on it though.”

While I could go on responding to this, simply put, HPs tend to experience some degree of the “imposter syndrome.” That is, psychological studies have shown that fully 70% of successful people have doubts that they are as good as others think they are. They tend to attribute their success to being in the right place at the right time, because they are able to make others think they are better than they actually are, or to good ol’ fashioned luck. And successful women experience this to a greater degree than men do!

So, to this HP and others reading, take a breath and take heart. Believe the evidence—clients rely on you, staff look to you and your firm depends on you. Continue to keep your expectations high and put forth effort to meet them. Realize that sometimes you just have to accept the voices of others to ground your perception. Did I mention how much I enjoy working with HPs?