By: Michele Borucki, Director of Research and Consulting
Not many of us intentionally sought out our unique profession. I’ve been fortunate to serve on many hiring committees in my career, and generally there’s a common sentiment of “I just fell into it” when discussing someone’s journey into prospect development. We come from varied educational and professional backgrounds but somehow all found our way to this small but mighty village. The thread that holds us all together is the desire to be a helper; we want to leave this world better than we found it by making an impact on the nonprofit community.
Prospect development professionals are hardworking, smart, creative, and data-driven thinkers, but also a very humble bunch. As a member of this notoriously modest community, it’s hard for me to say what I am about to say (and put in writing, no less). While difficult, I think it’s important for context and for Intelligent Edge readers to see someone else declare:
I’m really good at what I do.
*Insert red flushed face*
Why is it so hard for me to say that out loud? Why am I so uncomfortable right now? I care a lot about this profession, my team, and our community. I work hard to be all those things I mentioned above so I don’t let anyone, including myself, down. All that said, unfortunately I am plagued by imposter syndrome.
I recently saw an enlightening interview with Olympian Ilona Maher, where she was asked if she dealt with imposter syndrome. She promptly and confidently stated, “I don’t have that! I feel like I deserve what I’ve gotten. I think that I’ve worked very hard…” and then went on to share all the ways she has contributed to her own success, the rugby profession, and to the women’s athletics community.
Another transformative moment I had was in an unusual setting, while watching Greta Gerwig’s film Barbie with my kids. There’s a part in the beginning where all the Barbies are accepting awards for their accomplishments, and instead of just saying “thank you”, they say “I worked really hard for this. I deserve it.” This conviction clearly isn’t something that comes naturally to me, but why not?
As an adept professional, I’m genuinely unsure when I started believing that I know less than I do. The work that we do as prospect development professionals is difficult. We spend our days uncovering and handling sensitive information and using skills and resources that only a tiny percentage of the population know how to use. These skills take years to learn, and longer to master, but we do it because we love it and are passionate about our organization’s mission.
We networked with the right people to land in these coveted roles and continue to seek out educational and professional development opportunities. As I’ve grown and accumulated more knowledge about this profession, I’ve had the chance to present at conferences, host webinars, and have written blog posts. My success, and yours, has come from being curious, asking questions, and being available as a reliable resource for peers. I guess I truly am good at this, and so are you.
I know there are others in the prospect development community who also struggle with the dreaded imposter syndrome. To help overcome self-doubt, try setting a goal every so often to do something out of your comfort zone. For me, tackling a new challenge quiets the inner voice telling me I’m not as proficient as others believe me to be. This can also be used an opportunity to advocate for prospect development in some way. A double win! A few examples:
- Present at a conference
- Serve on a board or committee with Apra or your local chapter (Nedra has a committee dedicated to advocacy and professional development)
- Create a webinar
- Write for an industry publication (like Apra Connections)
- Post on LinkedIn
- Chat with an industry podcast
- Mentor
- If you’re a parent/guardian, participate in Career Day/the Great American Teach In at your child’s school!
Two things can be true at the same time. We can continue to learn new things and grow every day while also being well-versed and a resource that others rely on. Confidence and pride in your abilities is an asset, and it’s paramount to embrace and share your accomplishments and knowledge. You never know, you may be inspiring a new generation of people who no longer fall into but intentionally seek out the prospect development profession.