Why I Made It: Conquering Imposter Syndrome in a New Era
Real-World Tactics for Overcoming Self-Doubt
When I joined tech, I knew I was stepping into a different world, but I wasn’t prepared for how different it would feel. For the first time in my career, I was in a male-dominated industry. I would walk into meetings and scan the room, only to realise I was the only woman there. On the rare occasions when there were others, we were vastly outnumbered.
As the meetings played out, I discovered how hard it was to get my voice heard. Conversations moved at a rapid pace, dominated by loud voices and quick decisions. I would start to speak, only to be talked over before I had even finished my sentence. When I did manage to get a word in, my ideas were waved away before they had been properly considered.
I kept asking myself whether I was imagining it, whether I was reading too much into things. No one was outright dismissing me. No one was telling me I didn’t belong or expecting me to make the coffee. But the effect was the same. I would sit in those meetings, full of ideas, full of things to say, and yet, somehow, I felt invisible.
And I felt it. I felt like the dumbest person in the room.
Imposter Phenomenon: That Feeling That You’re About to Be Found Out
The first time I heard about imposter phenomenon, I was in a leadership development session. I remember listening and thinking, “Oh, I definitely don’t have that.” And at the time, I didn’t. I was comfortable then. I had learned my job well and felt capable.
Then I got promoted. And promoted again. And suddenly, imposter phenomenon struck harder than ever, especially in tech. That creeping feeling that you’re completely out of your depth and about to be found out- it hit me full force.
To this day, I don’t know if it was because I was a woman or because I lacked a technical background. My career has spanned community work, events management, and yet somehow, I had stumbled into a new tech career. What was clear though: I lacked credibility.
How I Built Credibility (And Got Past Imposter Phenomenon)
The short answer: consistency.
It isn’t an easy answer because it means being uncomfortable for an unspecified amount of time, but I knew two things to be true:
- Feelings don’t last forever. They come and they go, and that includes how competent we feel at any given time. I knew from experience that things weren’t this hard all the time.
- For things to change, I would need to take action.
So, I fought to get my voice out there. I was anxious, sometimes beetroot red, but I held on to the hope that the more I did it, the easier it would get.
I also started to confront and challenge. When people shot down my ideas, I’d ask why. And if I didn’t get a clear answer, I’d ask again. And again if I had to. This forced people to explore my ideas rather than dismiss them outright. Sometimes they weren’t viable. But sometimes, they were.
And over time, I learnt something else about credibility — it has to be earned.
It’s in these moments, in the struggle to get better, that you really learn about your character. I kept looking for cracks where I could add value, and I found it in engaging with the development work. If I could learn how to use the solutions, then anyone could.
I became the litmus test for solution usability among the reluctant adopters.
I hadn’t realised that tech encompassed my two favourite things: creativity and problem-solving. These are also things I am good at, and I had thought they had no place in this industry.
Tech Needs More Than Just Coders
People assume tech is only for developers, engineers, or those with STEM degrees. Yet tech is also about problem-solving, leadership, communication, and strategy. It needs creative thinkers and strong communicators, not just coders.
I had spent so much time doubting myself because I thought I didn’t have the right skills for tech, but my skills are still needed.
If you are someone who has never considered a career in tech because you think you are not technical enough, maybe it is time to think again.
Final Thoughts: Overcoming Imposter Phenomenon in Tech
Imposter phenomenon doesn’t mean you don’t belong, it often means you’re growing. It isn’t a fixed state, and it doesn’t have to define your career. Looking back, here are the key things that helped me move past it:
1. Remember that feelings are temporary
That overwhelming sense of self-doubt? It comes and goes. Just because you feel out of your depth now doesn’t mean you always will. Competence grows with time, and discomfort doesn’t last forever.
2. Consistency is hardest, but effective
Confidence isn’t something you wake up with one day, it’s built, little by little, through action. Keep showing up, keep contributing, and keep speaking up, even when you are bright red with embarrassment and rambling slightly.
Keep going. Every time you try is a victory, it doesn’t have to be great, it probably won’t be, but it’s moving you forward and building your resilience.
3. Ask why, and then ask again (and maybe even again)
When my ideas were dismissed, I didn’t let them go easily. I started asking, Tell me why. If the objection was valid, I learned from it. If it wasn’t, I challenged it. Pushing for clarity forces people to engage with your ideas rather than dismiss them outright.
4. Find the cracks where you can add value
I wasn’t a developer, but I found ways to contribute. I engaged with the development work, tested solutions, and positioned myself as the litmus test for usability. If I could figure it out, so could the users.
5. Your skills are more valuable than you think
I thought tech was all about coding, but it turned out to be about creativity, problem-solving, and communication- all skills I already had.
Tech thrives on diverse skills. If you’ve ever struggled with imposter phenomenon, remember this: you don’t have to be technical to belong. Your skills matter, and tech needs people like you.
