Ep. 80 Overcoming “Impostor Syndrome” as a Woman in Tech

Sometimes having a seat at the table in the workplace isn’t enough. Today’s guest reflects on her career trajectory and what’s helped her to find her voice, build confidence, and overcome nagging feelings of self-doubt, including great bosses, professional coaching, setting expectations, and running marathons.

Michelle Lerner is the Director of Business Development at Branch. Branch provides cross-platform linking and attribution solutions to the world's leading digital brands.

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• How has the role of men and women in the mobile tech space evolved since you started your career?
• Do you feel more confident and comfortable vocalizing yourself now because you’re in a more senior position or because of the work environment?
• Did you have a mentor that helped you to feel this way or was it something else?
• As a manager, how do you empower your direct reports?
• What do you think we can be doing more in the workplace to empower women?
• What in your personal life has helped you build your confidence at work?
• How do you set boundaries at work, in your personal life, with men?
• What advice would you give to women when it comes to defining career goals?

• 1:19 Michelle’s background
• 3:53 Being discouraged to speak up earlier in her career
• 6:08 Dispelling impostor syndrome
• 7:30 Having mentors, being a mentor
• 13:56 Perfectionism & failure
• 19:34 How running helped her build confidence
• 22:18 Setting expectations
• 25:40 Career advice for women in mobile

(4:55-5:09) “I think as a woman, we’re always told to be put in this little box of like, ‘Okay, well, behave.’ But, I don’t think the opposite of that being having a voice and making sure you’re heard is misbehaving.”

(16:38-16:58) “I think as managers and as leaders, we’re always being like, ‘Hey, why don’t we try it like this?’ instead of being like, ‘What do you think we should do?’ And I think continuing to ask questions will also really help people get their footing and have a voice because then the more questions you ask, the more they’ll feel like they’re able to come forward and bring their opinion and thoughts to the table.”