Sunday Rewind: Identify and manage imposter syndrome by Phyllis Njoroge

This week’s Sunday Rewind is a #mtpcon SF+Americas 2022 breakout session in which Phyllis Njoroge, then Product Manager at Redfin, talks through her journey through imposter syndrome. 

Imposter syndrome is self doubt that inflates into an identity crisis, says Phyllis, and she runs through what it might look like if it didn’t conflate with identity.

Helping ourselves

She then looks at what we can do for ourselves to combat imposter syndrome:

• Ask questions early and often. If you’re met with support then ask even more questions, if you’re not supported then work out who else you can go to for help.
• Practise a growth mindset. Act before you feel ready and start small. Resist the temptation to compare yourself to others.
• Celebrate your achievements.

Helping others

Imposter syndrome is a community problem, says Phyllis. To help others she suggests:

• Praise others for their efforts over the outcomes they achieve
• Model open discussions of failure.
• Encourage people to do something they’re nervous of in a low-pressure way.
• Be proactively helpful

Watch the original talk: Identify and manage imposter syndrome by Phyllis Njoroge