Why Am I Here? Dealing with Imposter Phenomenon
Proposed session for SQLBits 2026TL; DR
Many people question their abilities, attributing success to luck rather than skill. This is known as the Imposter Phenomenon, an experience shared by an estimated 70% of the population. Common symptoms include:
Discounting Achievements: Minimizing successes while focusing heavily on mistakes.
Feelings of Inadequacy: Feeling like you don’t belong or that others are more qualified.
Fear of Exposure: Avoiding new challenges for fear of being revealed as a "fraud."
Persistent Anxiety: Constant worry regarding professional or personal endeavors.
This session offers a personal perspective from someone who deals with these feelings daily. Rather than promising "magic cures," the discussion focuses on shared experiences, practical strategies, and hard-won techniques used to navigate these emotions.
By attending, you will realize you are not alone in these struggles. You will leave with fresh insights, new ideas, and a different way of looking at your own accomplishments and potential.
Session Details
Have you ever questioned your abilities? Think that everyone else is so much better than you? Consider that your current role or successes are down to luck or something you did not do. You are not alone; it is estimated that 70% of the population struggles with these feelings. Maybe you have felt this way sometimes ;
You attribute success to luck or external factors rather than your skills and abilities.
Excessive focus on mistakes and shortcomings while minimizing or discounting achievements
Feeling like you don't belong in your current role or that others are more qualified
Avoiding challenges or opportunities due to fear of failure or being exposed as a fraud
A persistent sense of fear and anxiety related to your work or personal endeavors
The Imposter Phenomenon is something that I deal with every day. This session is about what I have discovered about the Imposter Phenomenon. What strategies and techniques do I use to deal with all the feelings that come with my Imposter Phenomenon?
This session is not about magic solutions or cures. Someone sharing techniques, ideas, suggestions, and thoughts on the Imposter Phenomenon. If you want to know that it's not just you, come along and listen. You may leave with a different way of looking at things.
You attribute success to luck or external factors rather than your skills and abilities.
Excessive focus on mistakes and shortcomings while minimizing or discounting achievements
Feeling like you don't belong in your current role or that others are more qualified
Avoiding challenges or opportunities due to fear of failure or being exposed as a fraud
A persistent sense of fear and anxiety related to your work or personal endeavors
The Imposter Phenomenon is something that I deal with every day. This session is about what I have discovered about the Imposter Phenomenon. What strategies and techniques do I use to deal with all the feelings that come with my Imposter Phenomenon?
This session is not about magic solutions or cures. Someone sharing techniques, ideas, suggestions, and thoughts on the Imposter Phenomenon. If you want to know that it's not just you, come along and listen. You may leave with a different way of looking at things.
3 things you'll get out of this session
Help people to see it is not just them who feel like an imposter
Share ways in which one person has combats imposter Phenomenon
Allow attendees to see it is not just them
Speakers
Robert French's other proposed sessions for 2026
Tech's Secret Sauce: The Power of Neurodiversity - 2026
Are Pie Charts Evil? - 2026
Soft Skills for Success - 2026