Overcoming impostor syndrome in an agile environment.

1. O V E R C O M I N G
IMPOSTOR SYNDROME
IN AN AGILE ENVIRONMENT

2. DEFINITION
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Collection of feelings of inadequacy that persist
even in face of information that indicates that the
opposite is true.

3. SYMPTOMS OF IMPOSTOR SYNDROME
▫︎Chronic self doubt
▫︎Feelings of intellectual fraudulence
▫︎Attributing success to luck
▫︎Discounting success
▫︎Afraid to live up to expectations
▫︎Seek validation, yet not fully believe it when it comes
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4. WHY IS IT RAMPANT IN AGILE ENVIRONMENT
▫︎One is almost guaranteed to always learn new things:
Tech is always changing
▫︎It largely consist of near constant failure: can’t be so
overwhelmed by what you don’t know and dismiss all
you know.
▫︎So many “knowledgeable “ people, one fears to speak up
and say something “stupid”:
▫︎As a high achiever
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5. OVERCOMING THIS SELF DOUBT (REGARDS TO SELF)
▫︎Analyse your fears
▫︎Internalise validation
▫︎Stop comparing yourself
▫︎Focus on what you are good at
▫︎Learn how to thrive in any environment and have your
voice heard
▫︎Don’t under-evaluate your soft skills
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6. OVERCOMING SELF DOUBT (REGARDS TO OTHERS)
▫︎Talk to others
▫︎Teach others
▫︎Opine (Have your opinion)
▫︎Work with others
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7. PARTING THOUGHTS
I might not totally suck
Others doubt themselves too
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8. Presented by Ann W.Mwangi
mwangia@thoughtworks.com