Empowering Women in Tech, Insights from the Summit

Insights from the Women in Tech Summit

LeanIX provided the opportunity for me and my colleagues to attend the Empowering Women in Tech Summit in Hamburg. The experience was truly memorable, having a profound impact on me.
This summit inspired me to write this article and share some insights with you.

LeanIX team at the Empowering Women in Tech Summit

Many topics were touched upon at the summit, yet a few seemed particularly important for those trying to navigate the tech world.

The panel on 5 Steps to Overcome Impostor Syndrome offered precious strategies on building confidence, a cornerstone of professional success. Alongside, the session on Developing Executive Presence on Camera offered effective strategies for conveying confidence and creating a striking digital presence.

At the summit, I realized how fortunate I am to work in a great team because my manager already follows all the rules covered in the talk on Building Successful Teams.
I also leave some notes for managers who would like to build a similar outstanding team environment.

Another important topic discussed was Job vs Identity. With the current challenging situation in the IT industry worldwide, where layoffs are becoming increasingly common, it's crucial to differentiate between job and identity. Many people struggle with this distinction, and it's essential to maintain a sense of self if faced with such unfortunate circumstances.
Let's take a look at some key takeaways from the event.

5 Steps to Overcome Impostor Syndrome

Most women in tech have probably faced impostor syndrome, making it challenging to overcome. However, by learning how to manage it effectively and avoiding behaviors that allow the syndrome to grow, we can offer 5 steps to calm it.

Check your thoughts: Turn negative thoughts into positive ones by analyzing evidence and replacing them with affirmations. You should become an observer of your thoughts. By recognizing negative thoughts, you can point them out as they come up, which helps dissipate their power.
Stop negative thinking: Practice stopping negative thoughts as they arise. You can call the negative thoughts "Schnitzel" and just mentally "eat" them when they arise.
Is it real?: Question whether your feelings of not belonging are based on facts or just a feeling. Remind yourself of past successes and the skills you bring to the table.
Find your supporters: Surround yourself with people who believe in you. Seek feedback from trusted colleagues, mentors, or friends to gain perspective on your abilities and contributions.
Celebrate yourself: Recognize and celebrate your achievements and strengths. Take pride in your accomplishments, no matter how small, and acknowledge the effort it took to reach them.

Developing Executive Presence on Camera

Whether you prefer face-to-face interactions, virtual meetings, or presenting on stage, maintaining confidence is key to keeping your audience engaged and focused on your message. In today's fast-paced world, the ability to command attention on camera is increasingly important. Let's explore the signs of low confidence and strategies to attract your audience's attention.

Signs of Low Confidence

Speaking in a monotone voice
No pauses
No expressions
Repeating words
Mismatch in energy
Lack of eye contact
Too many filter words
No control over pacing
Uncontrolled body language
Lack of audience engagement

Strategies to Maintain Audience Focus

Your voice is your greatest weapon: You can improve your voice by using the 5 simple Ps: Pitch, Pronunciation, Pacing, Pauses, and Projection.
Be prepared: Thoroughly research and rehearse your topic to build confidence in your knowledge and delivery. Anticipate potential questions and prepare concise, informative responses.
Dress for success: Choose attire that makes you feel confident and professional. Your outfit can significantly impact your behavior and presence, boosting your confidence on camera.
Engage your audience: Use techniques such as storytelling, asking questions, and incorporating visuals to keep your audience actively involved and interested in your presentation.
Set clear expectations: Communicate the purpose and objectives of your speech upfront to manage audience expectations and ensure they understand the importance of focusing on your message.
Take your space: If you are sitting like a boss, nobody can argue with that.

By implementing these strategies and recognizing the signs of low confidence, you can enhance your executive presence on camera and effectively command your audience's attention. Remember, confidence is an infection, and when you believe in yourself and your message, others will too.

Building Successful Teams

Leadership in tech requires the ability to create and maintain successful teams. Whether assembling an existing team or creating a new one, certain steps remain essential:

Understand the role of each team member: Begin by understanding the unique role of each team member, ensuring they feel valued and understand their contributions.
Promote mutual understanding: Foster an environment of collaboration and mutual respect among team members.
Challenge and support: Assign tasks that challenge individuals to grow without overwhelming them.
Adaptability is key: Continuously evaluate processes and metrics to determine their effectiveness. Be willing to adapt strategies and processes based on team dynamics and feedback.
Celebrate success: It's easy to overlook achievements in the rush of ongoing tasks, but taking time to celebrate milestones is crucial for team morale and motivation.

Job vs Identity

Sometimes, if our job becomes our entire identity, losing it can make us feel as though we've lost ourselves.

Creating identity: Our identity is shaped by our relationships with others, and our jobs play a significant role in our sense of self-worth and belief.
Mission over role: Attach yourself to a mission or purpose rather than just the role itself to maintain a strong sense of identity.
Understanding value: Recognize your value both within and outside of work to avoid feeling lost if your job becomes your entire identity.

Summary

In essence, the summit motivated me to focus on self-improvement and boost my confidence. It also served as a reminder to value my team and avoid letting my job overshadow my identity. I'm thankful for this experience and eager to continue evolving. Taking time to acknowledge our accomplishments and express gratitude to ourselves is crucial. Let's remember to celebrate our progress and how much we've achieved.

Published by Natallia Shydlouskaya

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