CLIENT: Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
SERVICE: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome Keynote Presentation
Delivering Impactful Professional Development For A Global Women In Engineering Conference
The SWE conference requested a professional keynote to support their global and multigenerational audience of over 5000 women engineering students, engineers, and leaders. Women in STEM widely report feelings of self doubt and a lack of belonging as they navigate a majority White male workforce, particularly in leadership. “Imposter syndrome” encompasses the experience of these challenges. Conference organizers wanted content that addressed cultural challenges to women's leadership and development.
How We Helped
We crafted a playful and interactive hour long session grounded in stories and social science to approach personal and professional cultural challenges with levity and empathy
Delivering The Keynote
Being a product of different cultures, particularly Asian, means Jyoti has had to navigate a complex combination of belief systems that presented unique personal challenges to feel a sense of belonging and success in an environment where most people didn’t think or look like her. She shared how impostor syndrome manifests as creative blocks that hinder innovation, and shut down the diverse voices of change, as they had for her at Boeing. The talk was a hit and delivered to a packed out room of 200 people. Jyoti weaved together powerful stories, experiences, and supporting theory from the world of organizational behavior and psychology to deliver as much learning and emotional resonance as she could into one, action-packed hour.
Our Results
The enthralled audience were fully engaged as they listened, danced, and played. Many women approached Jyoti in person and via email to share their stories.
01. A Stanford graduate said when she entered the session she considered herself immune from impostor syndrome, but realized how much self-doubt she has been navigating as she applies for jobs, and wept as Jyoti explained to her how to cultivate kindness and confidence for herself.
02. An environmental engineer passionate about water conservation recently got laid off and was navigating a tough time of self-confidence. Jyoti chatted with her about how to learn from and move forward from “failure”, and the why and how of asking for feedback.
03. An Indian woman shared how the highly patriarchal dynamics in India heavily constrain women from showing up with their full confidence and power, and her own commitment to unlearning the cultural aspects of what was holding her back.
“Jyoti is a phenomenal and inspirational, multifaceted public speaker, educator and leader. Thank you Jyoti for bringing out the best in myself and others.”
—Lakshmi Roy, SWE Intern, Microsoft