“Imposter syndrome” has become a catch-all explanation for self-doubt in tech. But often, it’s the wrong diagnosis.

What we label as imposter syndrome is frequently a reasonable response to context: being new to a space, learning in public, navigating uneven power dynamics, or working alongside people who’ve had more time, access, or opportunity. Feeling uncertain in those moments isn’t a personal flaw—it’s situational awareness.

This session shifts the conversation away from “fixing” confidence and toward understanding environment, expectations, and growth. We’ll look at how context shapes perception, why discomfort often signals learning rather than inadequacy, and what leaders and communities can do to create spaces where people don’t have to earn the right to belong.

This isn’t about dismissing self-doubt.
It’s about recognizing when it isn’t a failure—and when it isn’t yours to carry.