Good morning! And now that it’s December, a Happy HondaDays and a Merry Toyotathon to all who celebrate. We’re gearing up for a very WorkDaze holiday season, which kicks off with a special edition on Monday. If you like surprises, skip this next sentence: We’ve compiled the ultimate gift guide—everything you need to earn the reputation as your team’s best gifter.

We’re pretty confident in our selection, but we’d love to include your ideas, too. So hit reply and share any small businesses you love, gifts that made you cry, and stories from holiday parties past that would make me blush.

Now to today: Q&A! Let’s have some fun.

—Rod

The Theme of Today’s Q&A Is…

Ladies and gentlemen…her:

If I know anything, it's that 1) “Everytime We Touch” by Cascada cures burnout and 2) Rihanna doesn’t walk into a room and question whether she should be there. Neither should you.

 question 
Okay…newly professional woman in a male-dominated career and I gotta know. Does imposter syndrome EVER go away? What's your advice for making that voice shut up?—Jess

 answer 
Feeling like an imposter at work can be brutally isolating.

But keep in mind that an estimated 70% of people (plus Jodie Foster and Emma Watson) have felt imposter syndrome at some point in their careers.

And you’re in good company if you’ve experienced those nagging feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and doubt—there’s evidence to suggest that imposter syndrome correlates with success.

• In fact, people who don’t feel like frauds are more likely to actually…be frauds.

• It’s a phenomenon known as the Dunning-Kruger effect, which means you can’t recognize your own ignorance. So congrats on not being an ignoramus (ily Merriam-Webster)!

Still, imposter syndrome hits all of us perfectionists differently and for different reasons. It can stem from family dynamics, personality traits, cultural circumstances (like being a minority in your workplace), and more.

In my experience, I’ve struggled a ton with feeling like an imposter throughout my career—am I really qualified to lead this team? Who am I kidding becoming a TikToker? How am I going to build a media company when “High School Musical cast” was in my top five artists on Spotify Wrapped?

But guess what? I’m here, doing all of that and a whole lot more. I worked really hard to get to this point, but that doesn’t mean my own little voice of self-doubt (sounds like Edna Mode in my brain) has totally disappeared. It does however mean I know how to manage it better.

Every time I start to feel like I’m out of my league, I tell myself this: I wouldn’t be here if someone didn’t believe I could do this.

You weren’t hired by accident. They didn’t send you an offer letter as a joke. Someone saw promise in what you’re bringing to the table, which is unique to you and only you. They believed in you, and if they could…why can’t you?

 question 
I'm gearing up to have "the money talk" with my manager. Any advice about how to approach the conversation and be as informed as I can be to advocate for myself?—Morgan

 answer 
For all the incredible, joyful things the end of the year brings (unhinged family time, cookies, a Gilmore Girls rewatch), it also brings not-fun things (fruitcake, awkward year-end evaluations).

But The Money Talk™ doesn’t have to suck—as long as you 1) do your homework and 2) walk in confident.

On doing your homework: No one has ever gotten the raise they wanted by hoping for it. You need evidence. So…

• Create a list of all the specific things you do in your current position that show your willingness to work hard and take on responsibility. If you have examples of times you’ve excelled, been a leader, and problem-solved for the good of your team, you can show your manager just how valuable your time is.

• Research what someone in a position like yours might make at another company. Use that as a frame of reference for your Money Talk™.

• Have a number in mind—and again, specificity is key here. Communicate directly with your manager about your expectations for compensation.

And remember: The squeaky wheel gets the grease. As long as you’re respectful, honest, and open to a conversation…you should always speak up for yourself. Because when it comes to your boss noticing your hard work?

On walking in confident: This might sound corny, but I swear it works. A couple of minutes before your Money Talk™, find somewhere to be alone and stand in a power pose—chest up, arms out, head high. Envision how you want the conversation to go. Tell yourself you’ve got this.

This is very Ted Talk-y and the science behind power posing is iffy, I’ll admit that much. But I don’t think it hurts to physically occupy space before a big conversation—it sets you up to do the same thing in your dialogue.

Got a Q for me to A? Submit yours here.

SPONSORED BY PELOTON CORPORATE WELLNESS

Peloton Corporate Wellness: For when the iced coffee serotonin summon just isn’t enough 

Hard to believe my thoroughly tested method known as the iced coffee swirl is neither 100% effective nor FDA-approved. 

One thing that I know really helps my own mental health: fitness. And my friends at Peloton are making it even easier for your employer to help you bring the most motivating and entertaining fitness into your daily routine with their Corporate Wellness program. 

Peloton Corporate Wellness has offerings created for your company in order to support your unique needs. Employees can get access to the Peloton App (no equipment needed!) or be given special offers on the Peloton Bike, Bike+, Tread, and Guide.

Think this would be a great fit for your company? Check out this fancy page just for WorkDaze readers (that’s you! omg!) that helps you share Peloton Corporate Wellness with your HR or Leadership team.

Things to Slack your work besties

…daily “we’re not here on accident” affirmations optional but encouraged.

My team was enthralled by this one this week: A French court has ruled that companies can’t legally fire people for…are you ready?...not being fun enough. A man was fired after refusing to engage in his company’s “fun” values, he sued, and now this is law. Send this story with your RSVP to company-wide bowling.

My magnum opus: What each character from The Office would be like if they were working from home. I’m a Pam sun, Jim rising.

I really mean this—I love seeing your Spotify Wrapped. You listened to “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor's Version) (From The Vault)” 291 times this year? Your top song was “Stars Are Blind” by Paris Hilton? Your music personality means so much more to me than your enneagram. So send your work bestie this tweet…

And then swap your Wrapped reports and also maybe hit reply and share with me because I am curious.

And that’s all for today! I’ll be back Monday with a very special edition! Have a great weekend and send me pics from your ugly sweater parties.

IDK WHAT DO I KNOW?! LMAO!

—Rod