Why ‘fake it till you make it’ is solid advice for leaders

In my wild and crazy youth, I decided I would be an actress. I had some success in several high school and university productions and won a lead role in a summer theater program at Purdue University. I loved the excitement and challenge of being onstage.

Fortunately, for a number of very good reasons, I figured out that acting was not the career path for me. I went into psychology instead, and as a therapist I used to joke to myself that instead of an actress I had become an audience. The closest I came to acting was when I taught a lecture course to 500 students at Western University in Ontario. I still love going to the theater, but I haven’t played a role in many years.

And yet — it’s amazing how we learn life lessons, even from the path not taken. My most impactful acting mentor was a young actor from New York, Stuart Howard. Stuart taught me a lot about what acting requires. One of his tips was this one:

“If you go to an audition and the director asks if you can play the trombone, say yes. And then go hire a trombone teacher that afternoon.”

Why ‘fake it till you make it’ matters in leadership

What does any of this have to do with business leadership? Believe me, I am not advocating lying on your resume. But I find that many business leaders shrink from stepping up for opportunities because they don’t already know everything they will need to do the job. There’s an opening for a more senior role? I’m probably not ready yet. The CEO is looking for someone to lead an important strategic project? I don’t know enough about that area of the company. 

Of course you shouldn’t take on a role you know you can’t do. The world is full of charlatans and empty suits and you don’t want to be one of them. But a confident, can-do attitude can take you places you might never have imagined.

Can I play trombone? No, but I’m pretty good on flute, piano, and guitar. I can sing and I have a good ear. I learn fast. Why not give me a shot?

If you want to develop your ability to step up for a stretch opportunity, get in touch with me at gail@gailgoldenconsulting.com.