Managing Impostor Syndrome and Self-Doubt by Ronke Majekodunmi Beth Hayden

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Conquering Imposter Syndrome: A Conversation with Rocky Kadumi

Welcome to today's insightful discussion on imposter syndrome. Joining me today is Rocky Kadumi, a remarkable leader in product management who has dedicated her career to creating world-class products and educating the next generation of product leaders.

Who is Rocky Kadumi?

Rocky Kadumi is a powerhouse in product management. Her mission is to make the world of product management more accessible to diverse product makers entering the field. She provides invaluable insights and shares authentic experiences for the next generation to learn from.

Understanding Imposter Syndrome

Rocky shares her personal experience with imposter syndrome, a psychological pattern in which an individual doubts their accomplishments or talents and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a "fraud".

"Imposter Syndrome feels like I'm not good enough. No matter what I have accomplished, it's just never enough. It's a constant feeling that when I'm in a room full of people, I don't belong there, I'm not smart enough to be there.
It's always there for me, in that mindset no matter what it is, it's always like, okay, well, do I really belong here? It’s exhausting after a while."

Recognizing Imposter Syndrome

Ronke identified her imposter syndrome through reading and personal experiences. Notably, overcoming a toxic work relationship and exploring a new romantic relationship made her confront her doubts and insecurities. This self-recognition was crucial in navigating her feelings of inadequacy.

The Causes of Imposter Syndrome

In her experience, the root causes of her imposter syndrome were environmental and stemmed from situations where self-confidence wasn’t fostered. Ronke explained:

"There were multiple things one was my environment, self-confidence wasn't exactly fostered, right? I had to deal with not one, but two toxic work environments. I think those are the causes of it."

Handling Imposter Syndrome

Rocky uses multiple strategies to handle moments of imposter syndrome:

  1. Remembering her grandmother’s journey: Drawing inspiration from her grandmother's resilience helps ground her when feeling overwhelmed or inadequate.
  2. Recording her accomplishments: Writing down her achievements gives her a tangible reminder of her abilities and success.
  3. Reframing anxiety: Turning feelings of anxiety into excitement helps reduce the stress and makes the situation more manageable.
  4. Not comparing herself to others: Realizing that everyone has their unique journey allows her to focus on her own growth and progress.

Fighting Expectations

Ronke acknowledges that there are often expectations and biases placed on women, including how they should act or communicate. To combat this, she chooses to be her authentic self, refusing to be boxed in by societal norms. Ronke’s advice is clear: run your own race.

Whether you are navigating through the world of product management, finding your footing in a new career or simply seeking inspiration for your personal journey, Ronke Kadumi's story provides invaluable insights.


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