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70% of people worldwide have felt like an imposter at some point in their career. 46% respondents to a women-in-tech survey agreed that help overcoming imposter syndrome would make them happier and more successful. Do you worry sometimes that you're not as smart as the other people in your organisation? Or that you won't be able to keep up and they'll find out that you don't really belong there? Do you stress out about living up to the expectations of the people you manage?

People working in tech, including those in leadership positions, often struggle to overcome prejudice and lack of privilege but still end up feeling like they don't belong, like they are a fraud, even when they're achieving success and making an impact. Imposter syndrome can affect people at any stage in their career - whether they're an intern or in a senior leadership or executive role.

In this talk I'll go over personal experiences with imposter syndrome and practical strategies I've developed that anyone can apply to banish imposter thoughts and prevent them from getting in the way of your success, career progression, mental health, and happiness at work. An easy to remember acronym (REACT) with 5 realistic steps you can take away and practice can help you create a more accurate representation of your performance. You can take these steps away for yourself, or if you are a people leader, use them to help coach your people through the confusing world of imposter syndrome.

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In the talk "REACT to Imposter Syndrome", Prakriti Mateti, a Director of Engineering at Culture Amp, shares her personal experiences with imposter syndrome, a phenomenon where individuals feel like a fraud despite their achievements. The discussion centers on how imposter syndrome can affect people at all stages of their careers, particularly in the tech industry, where 70% of individuals have experienced similar feelings at some point.

### Key Points Discussed:
- **Definition of Imposter Syndrome**: Mateti explains that imposter syndrome can manifest as a fear of being exposed as a fraud, attributing success to luck, and feeling undeserving of accomplishments.
- **Personal Anecdotes**: She shares her journey from a successful programming student to questioning her capabilities in her professional life, struggling with self-doubt even in leadership positions.
- **Widespread Experience**: The speaker emphasizes that self-doubt is common, especially among high-achieving women in tech, but it can affect anyone.
- **Feedback and Recognition**: Mateti highlights that feedback from peers often contradicts negative self-perceptions, showing that external validation can help combat these feelings.
- **Systemic Factors**: She encourages attendees to consider whether feelings of inadequacy stem from personal doubt or systemic biases that exist in workplace environments for underrepresented groups.
- **Five Steps to Overcome Imposter Syndrome (REACT)**: 
  - **R**: Record successful outcomes and feedback for self-acknowledgment.
  - **E**: Evaluate negative thoughts and question the assumptions that led to them.
  - **A**: Ask trusted individuals for their opinions to gain perspective.
  - **C**: Challenge the assumptions with factual data from your recorded experiences.
  - **T**: Transform negative thoughts into affirming statements based on evidence.

### Conclusions and Takeaways:
- Mateti concludes that it’s crucial to acknowledge and reflect on feelings of imposter syndrome while taking deliberate steps to combat them. By systematically addressing negative thoughts and building confidence through reflection and affirmation, individuals can work towards greater mental health and professional fulfillment.

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