Elwin Loomis

Imposters



2004, for months two hours of every workday were interviews. Conversations would go broad and deep; talking about tech but also straying to philosophy, art, etc. Maybe in the office, often on a stroll. I'd share our mission, the opportunities to improve on yesterday, and build for tomorrow. These weren’t for my team, and back then didn't know why I was included. But, I loved these conversations.

Today I know, Amazon has a name for this role: Bar raiser. Being Amazon, they have codified it (worth googling). Something I unknowingly did.

Later I had a realization, I took to our CIO
We met after work for a glass of wine

I said, "I've been involved in these interviews, I fear if I came in today, I couldn’t be hired. What does that say about me (an imposter)?

He laughed, Do you think I'd be hired as the CIO today? I'm a music major. But I'm the CIO, I've worked my way here, every day I'm learning, stretching, and sharing with others. I might feel like an imposter, but feeling that keeps me humble and open. I want people smarter and better than me, around me, and that doesn’t make me afraid it excites me.

We may feel like imposters
but that doesn't mean we don't deserve
to receive the gifts in front of us
The company has bought us this bottle of wine.

Let’s drink it, Cheers!

Original Link to Linkedin Post: https://bit.ly/3vZnUyU