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You Are a Badass at UX: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
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Wednesday, March 10, 2021 • Advancing Research 2021
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You Are a Badass at UX: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Speakers: Megan Kierstead
Link:

Summary

UX practitioners are plagued by self-doubt. Do I have the right skills? Am I having impact? Does my boss believe in me? UX attracts gentle souls, who often struggle to stand up for themselves. I want every researcher on the planet to feel competent, valuable, and confident, so that they can tackle the big issues our world faces. I'll teach attendees how to examine their own brains to see how their beliefs are the only thing holding them back. Using mindset tools from my coaching practice, we'll create NEW beliefs that will banish imposter syndrome from our collective lexicon.

Key Insights

  • Emotional health is critical for effective UX research.

  • Self-doubt is often driven by external feedback rather than actual abilities.

  • Influencing others requires confidence in oneself and one’s results.

  • Researchers must define their identities beyond job titles or metrics.

  • Thoughts and feelings are interconnected and shape our actions.

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy principles can help change self-narratives.

  • Individuals have the power to redefine what it means to succeed in their roles.

  • Creating an authentic workplace fosters confidence among employees.

  • Self-doubt is a story we tell ourselves, not a reflection of our worth.

  • Embracing vulnerability is part of being a badass researcher.

Notable Quotes

"Emotional health directly affects our ability to do our jobs."

"To influence, you need to believe in what you’re doing."

"You can’t separate your identity from your research role; they are intertwined."

"No one is going to decide what it means to be good at something for you."

"Our brains are ridiculously malleable."

"The only one who gets to decide what it means to be badass is you."

"If you don’t feel like a badass, it’s not because you aren’t one."

"We want to tie our identities to who we want to be, not just to our job."

"Self-doubt is a statement about your own worth, not your abilities."

"Embracing authenticity boosts confidence in the workplace."

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