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
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Self-doubt in UX research stems from internal thoughts about oneself, not actual skill deficiencies.
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Emotional health critically impacts a researcher's ability to influence and lead.
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Confidence and self-belief enable researchers to stand up courageously and speak truth.
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Circumstances are neutral facts or external conditions; feelings arise from thoughts about those circumstances.
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Systemic challenges like racism or sexism affect difficulty but individuals control their internal responses to them.
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Defining what it means to be a badass or successful researcher is a personal, contextual choice.
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Changing underlying thoughts and feelings is more effective than solely changing external actions.
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A self-assessment of qualities tied to one’s research identity helps track growth and combat self-doubt.
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Confidence does not diminish critical reflection; self-doubt is a statement about worth, not about work quality.
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Creating a confidence-boosting workplace culture requires supporting individuality and authenticity.
Notable Quotes
"Our jobs as researchers aren’t just to do research; they’re to influence people and help them make decisions."
"To be a good researcher, you need to believe in your approach, your skills, and your team."
"Self-doubt isn’t caused by a lack of skill, but by how you think about yourself."
"Being badass means being vulnerable, standing up, being brave, and being true to yourself."
"Circumstances are what happen in the world; feelings come from the thoughts you have about those circumstances."
"You get to decide what it means to be badass at research; no committee will decide it for you."
"If you don’t feel like a badass, it’s not because you aren’t one, it’s because of the thoughts you’re telling yourself."
"Confidence and reflection are not opposites; you can be confident and still be critically thoughtful."
"Creating a confidence-boosting environment means supporting authenticity and individuality in the workplace."
"Your brain is malleable; the only thing holding you back is your story about yourself."
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