Here's how you can use assertiveness to conquer imposter syndrome in your IT career.

Whenever you start feeling the signs of imposter syndrome, look back and remember your achievements that led you to your current role/position. Moreover, analyze your current tasks and responsibilities. Would you have received such missions if you were an imposter? If the answer is "no", it is time to stop negative feelings. In an IT career, where you have to deal with tecnologies that evolve every day, it is key to always continue learning (the famous "lifelong learning"), but at the same time it is impossible to dominate all subjects, so you shouldn't feel guilty if you don't have deep knowledge about some of them.

Be aware of imposter thoughts: The first step is recognizing when you're doubting your abilities. Assertively acknowledge these feelings without letting them define your self-worth or performance. Remind yourself of your qualifications and experience.

Speak up. Ask questions and state your professional opinion. If you are never wrong you never get corrected, and if you never get corrected you never learn. If you find yourself in a work environment where these behaviors are punished, you may want to consider moving on.

I can add to that the sentiment that you are there for a reason. You can always use hyperbole to start with in that, most people would not know the first thing about what to do from sign in to sign out if they were in your position. From there, you can remind yourself that every one in that building has had a first day, first month and first year at whatever they do, so don't take any kind of shade (real or perceived) too seriously because sometimes they themselves may forget this. After all of that, stop comparing yourself to others immediately. I cannot stress this enough because it is the quickest way to ruin. Your work will have a certain signature on it so you can begin to work on that to find your niche, which will become your edge.

To use assertiveness to conquer imposter syndrome in your IT career, start by acknowledging your achievements and communicating them confidently, internalizing your successes as deserved. Assertiveness also helps you set boundaries, effectively managing your workload and avoiding overcompensation, which reduces burnout and builds confidence. Lastly, use assertiveness to seek feedback and mentorship, gaining objective insights into your skills and contributions. This growth-oriented approach helps counteract self-doubt, giving you control over your career narrative and fostering confidence.

Don’t overextend yourself: Assertively set boundaries to avoid burnout. Saying "no" to tasks that go beyond your role or capacity shows confidence in your ability to manage your workload and reinforces your value.

In my early IT days, I often said "yes" to every task, fearing people would think I wasn’t capable. This practically led to burnout and, ironically, reinforced my doubts. What changed? I started setting boundaries. I learned how to say, "I can’t take this on right now," and that shift was transformative. It wasn’t easy at first, but being assertive about my workload helped me avoid unrealistic pressures, and as a result, I felt more confident in the quality of the work I did take on.

Ter clareza sobre suas responsabilidades é essencial em qualquer área de tecnologia. Saber até onde você pode ir e transmitir isso de forma transparente para a equipe e os clientes evita sobrecarga. Se você evita recusar pedidos por receio, pode acabar se sentindo inadequado por n?o cumprir metas fora do seu alcance. Ser direto é importante para recusar novas tarefas quando já está ocupado, sugerindo outras op??es viáveis. Isso auxilia no equilíbrio das atividades e também fortalece o respeito mútuo.

Own your skills: Speak confidently about your expertise and contributions in meetings or discussions. This reinforces your belief in your value and builds credibility with others.

Speaking up in meetings used to terrify me, especially when I felt others knew more than I did. But I decided to shift my mindset. Rather than staying silent, I began actively participating in discussions, even if I wasn’t 100% sure my ideas were perfect. I told myself that contributing isn’t about always being right, but about adding value and growing from the process. With each contribution, I grew more comfortable asserting my expertise, and the fear of being “found out” gradually faded.

Mostrar competência no setor de tecnologia exige confian?a ao compartilhar ideias e solu??es. é comum ter dúvidas sobre sua própria capacidade, mas ser firme permite que você participe ativamente de discuss?es e colabore sem receio. N?o é sobre sempre ter a solu??o perfeita, mas sim contribuir de maneira produtiva, fazendo perguntas e sugerindo caminhos. Envolver-se em diálogos técnicos com seguran?a fortalece seu papel na equipe, promovendo o aprendizado mútuo e a evolu??o conjunta.

Seek constructive input: Asking for feedback assertively helps you understand your strengths and areas for growth. It shows self-awareness and a proactive approach to personal development, helping you see your progress objectively.

Buscar opini?es construtivas é essencial para o crescimento profissional. Se você está sentindo inseguran?a quanto às suas capacidades, é importante pedir sugest?es de melhoria de forma ativa. Isso mostra iniciativa e interesse em seu próprio progresso, além de abertura para aprender com colegas. N?o espere momentos formais, solicite após tarefas concluídas ou em reuni?es frequentes. Ao fazer isso, foque em como evoluir e n?o apenas nos desafios. Essa postura ajudará a aumentar sua confian?a e reduzir as dúvidas sobre seu desempenho.

Asking for feedback was another game-changer. Instead of worrying whether I was meeting expectations, I took control by seeking feedback regularly, especially after completing a project. This made me feel proactive in my growth and helped me see where I truly excelled. Over time, I realized that my fear of being “exposed” was unfounded - feedback not only made me better but also reinforced my capabilities, which made imposter syndrome less of a constant companion.

Celebrating wins was something I rarely did. I used to finish a project and immediately move on to the next challenge, barely pausing to acknowledge my success. But I started taking the time to celebrate each victory, no matter how small. Whether it was fixing a tricky system bug or launching a major project, I allowed myself to feel proud. This small act of assertiveness helped remind me that I am skilled, deserving, and growing in my IT career every day. Try to adopt this mindset yourself. You are worth it!

Acknowledge your achievements: Be assertive in celebrating your accomplishments, no matter how small. Recognizing your own success, and sharing it with others, reinforces your confidence and reduces feelings of inadequacy.

Reconhecer seus próprios sucessos é fundamental para fortalecer a confian?a e afastar dúvidas internas. No setor de tecnologia, onde os resultados aparecem em solu??es implementadas ou desafios superados, é importante valorizar cada progresso. Seja ao finalizar um projeto exigente ou ao resolver uma pequena falha, esses momentos mostram sua competência e comprometimento. Celebrar essas realiza??es ajuda a reafirmar sua capacidade e a consolidar seu valor na área.

Ajudar outras pessoas pode ser uma ótima forma de superar o sentimento de ser inadequado. Quando você compartilha o que sabe com seus colegas, n?o só fortalece suas habilidades, como também se sente mais seguro em suas capacidades. Ser proativo ao oferecer apoio e dividir suas vivências contribui para reconhecer seu próprio valor. Além disso, observar o crescimento de quem você guia pode ser uma motiva??o extra para deixar de lado inseguran?as e perceber sua competência profissional.