My most recent bout with imposter syndrome was with ISACA’s Digital Trust Ecosystem Framework (DTEF) foundation exam. I’m blogging about it because I know a lot of people struggle with imposter syndrome, even though they don’t specifically recognize what’s going on. So let’s talk about the challenge.
The DTEF foundation exam is a 60-question multiple choice exam that you have two hours to complete. Passing score is 65%. There’s not a lot of material. You can literally read through everything covered in a couple of days without straining. As exams go, it’s on the easier end of the spectrum.
Yet I was paralyzed when it came to taking it. As a matter of fact, the only reason I ended up taking it was because I ran out of time. I was on a special pathway towards getting trainers who were accredited to teach for the DTEF exam and accompanying certificate. From the time I registered to take the exam (after completing the accompanying on-line course), I had one year to do so. I could reschedule as much as I wanted to within that year, but I only had one year. I took the exam on the very last day after confirming with support that I couldn’t extend it any further.
As to my readiness, here’s my experience with the DTEF:
- I am the regular columnist on Digital Trust for the ISACA Journal. I have been since 2023. I regularly refer to the DTEF when I write.
- Because I was the regular columnist on Digital Trust, I received the framework when it was still in draft mode, back in 2022. ISACA keeps it current, so I’ve had access to the latest version since then.
- I have taught a 20 hour course on the DTEF.
- I have given other presentations about the DTEF.
- I completed all the study materials for the DTEF.
I don’t know that there’s much more I could have done to be prepared for the exam. Yet I put it off and put it off and put it off for a whole year. I kept doubting my readiness and my ability to pass the exam. Basically, I was forced to either take the test or lose the attempt and that’s what forced me into action. When I actually sat for the test, I was prepared and passed easily. My imposter syndrome had caused this test to be a stressor in my life for a full year.
Unfortunately, though I am well-versed in what imposter syndrome is, I didn’t recognize it for what it was in this case. I was too close to the problem. I couldn’t detach. Actually, I didn’t even think to detach. Which leads me into some suggestions I’m going to try and do better at the next time I start to doubt myself. Maybe those will be of help to you.
- If I feel like I’m not capable of a task, I’m going to try and detach and look at it objectively.
- If that doesn’t work, I’m going to intentionally seek out someone I trust to talk the situation through.
- If that doesn’t work, I’m going to lean (pun intended) into something from Lean methodology: fail fast.
This doesn’t guarantee that I will overcome imposter syndrome in every future situation. However, it’s a plan with a clear trigger: I don’t feel capable. Perhaps I’m not. That’s what the first two steps are for: to try and identify if I am or am not. But there are a lot of times when we aren’t capable and we have to repeat the process over and over again. Back when I used to play soccer/football, I started out as a terrible goalkeeper. I couldn’t track the ball well, didn’t understand angles, didn’t know when to try and catch versus punch out, and I couldn’t time my jumps to properly intercept. Through practice I worked on all of those skills and got good enough to feel comfortable in goal for friendly and intramural games, which is what I wanted. It took a lot of failing to get there, though. And that’s what step 3 accomplishes.