10 Jan Embracing Authentic Leadership
Tricia Price, Senior Vice President of Customer Experience Operations at GM Financial, shares her journey of navigating leadership challenges, overcoming imposter syndrome, and embracing authentic leadership. Her transparent and inspiring stories shed light on common struggles leaders face and how accepting vulnerability can transform personal and professional growth.
Imposter Syndrome: A Common Leadership Struggle
Tricia candidly shared her personal experiences with imposter syndrome, emphasizing its prevalence among professionals, particularly women in leadership roles:
- Surprisingly common: Studies suggest imposter syndrome affects 30–85% of professionals, with executives and successful women experiencing it most often.
- Triggers: It often surfaces when stepping outside comfort zones or taking on new challenges, such as leadership roles in uncharted territories.
- Overcoming self-doubt: Tricia highlighted the importance of mentors and leaders who believed in her even when she doubted herself, providing her with opportunities to grow.
Three practical tips for overcoming imposter syndrome:
- Recognize it as a natural response to growth and success.
- Lean on mentors and supporters who uplift and challenge you.
- Reframe negative self-talk by acknowledging your skills and contributions.
Authenticity as a Leadership Superpower
Tricia believes that being authentic fosters trust and connection, paving the way for stronger leadership:
- Transparency in struggles: Sharing her own imposter syndrome experiences with employees normalized the challenge and inspired others to speak openly.
- The power of storytelling: By revealing her unconventional career path, Tricia helps others see that success doesn’t always require a traditional background.
- Building trust: Authentic leaders who share their true selves inspire their teams to bring their full selves to work.
One of Tricia’s favorite quotes is from Maya Angelou: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Thriving in Male-Dominated Industries
As a trailblazer in auto finance, Tricia has broken barriers and offered valuable advice to other women navigating traditionally male-dominated spaces where it can be especially challenging to maintain authenticity:
- Confidence is key: While women’s perspectives are often discounted, cultivating self-assurance through mentorship and practice is critical.
- Diversity matters: Companies that embrace diverse perspectives perform better and innovate more effectively.
- Mentorship is invaluable: Tricia credits her success to strong mentors who believed in her potential, even before she did.
Leadership Lessons: Confidence Can Be Learned
Tricia shared her belief that confidence is a skill, not an innate trait:
- Practice makes perfect: Confidence grows with repeated effort and experience.
- Earn your champions: Show consistency and integrity to gain advocates who support your career growth.
- Be present and authentic: Demonstrating genuine care for your team builds lasting trust.
Conclusion
Tricia Price’s story exemplifies how leaders can overcome imposter syndrome by being vulnerable and embracing authentic leadership. Her journey is an inspiring reminder that self-doubt is not a barrier to success but a stepping stone to growth.
About Tricia Price
Tricia Price, Senior Vice President of Customer Experience Operations at GM Financial, oversees strategic initiatives to create a best-in-class customer experience, emphasizing digitization to boost operational efficiency. With over 20 years of experience in auto finance, she has held key roles across consumer services and corporate servicing. In 2021, Tricia was honored by Auto Finance Journal and Cherokee Media as a top female leader in auto finance.