Underdog Mentality in Life and Work

Last month, I presented to the MBA class at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business by Prof. Pearce. I told a story of having an “Underdog mentality” in both life and work. What happened next surprised me.

Contrary to my expectations, almost every student who reached out afterwards had more questions on the “life” part, and not about the “work” part. Here’s what I spoke about.

First, my definition: What’s an Underdog mentality?

Underdog mentality is the consistent ability to turn your (obvious) disadvantages into eventual success.

It is the acceptance that you may not be where you want to be, but you will never stop trying. It’s the knowledge that you refuse your past experiences to define the future.

There are 3 parts to overcome in order to have an “underdog” mentality:

1. Imposter Syndrome
2. Mental Health
3. Be a “Know-it-all”, not a “learn-it-all”

Imposter Syndrome

Ever felt that you are doing things you aren’t fully sure about, and that you could make a mistake anytime and will be called out and embarrassed in front of your colleagues? That you are “faking” it?

This is the imposter syndrome.

For years, I’ve struggled with this. Not having the “right” credentials, joined the “right” schools, the “right” circle etc and the fact that every new assignment and change…