Building Confidence in the Face of New Challenges

Have you ever felt unqualified for a role or experienced what’s commonly referred to as Imposter Syndrome? If so, you're not alone. Many of us, especially in rapidly evolving fields, face moments of self-doubt. However, these moments can also serve as powerful catalysts for growth and self-improvement.

Embracing the New and Unknown

When we first asked ourselves, "Can large language models (LLMs) take orders in the drive-thru?" OpenAI's ChatGPT had yet to become the global sensation it is today. This question marked the beginning of our conversational AI journey at Wendy's, setting us apart as pioneers in the QSR industry. I began engaging with experts at Google Cloud and Google Cloud's Office of the CTO, who had been working with this technology far longer than I had. Initially, I felt insecure about my understanding of LLM technology—its capabilities, workings, and limitations.

However, these conversations revealed that even the leading minds in this space didn't fully grasp everything about the technology. While I might not have known the intricate details of how LLMs functioned, I deeply understood their real-world applications and how people would engage with them. This was before ChatGPT was even announced. Our engineers often looked for regular patterns in customer orders, but now, two years later, we confidently say that every order is truly unique. This journey has solidified Wendy's reputation as an innovation leader, driving transformative change in the fast-food industry.

Another memorable experience was the first day of the 2023 Google Next conference. Wendy's FreshAI was chosen as one of three experience builds on the convention floor—a true testament to our innovation and partnership with Google. I had the opportunity to share our product's story with a diverse audience, from everyday people to CTOs, CEOs, and board members of some of the world's largest companies.

Initially, I felt like an imposter, but as I engaged with leaders from major QSRs, media giants like 华特迪士尼公司 , Paramount , and Six Flags , Major League Baseball (MLB) and industry titans like Lowe's Companies, Inc. 's and Vodafone , I quickly realized something profound. Despite their impressive credentials, these companies were navigating similar challenges and uncertainties in their technological journeys. It became clear that Wendy's and my team were not just participating in the conversation—we were leading it. This experience reinforced the value of our work and the innovative strides we are making with FreshAI.

Strategies to Build Confidence

Here are some practical strategies to help turn self-doubt into a foundation for confidence and growth:

1. Acknowledge Your Feelings: Recognizing that you’re experiencing self-doubt is the first step. Understand that these feelings are a natural part of taking on new challenges. Self-awareness can help you manage your emotions more effectively.
2. Seek Feedback and Support: Don’t hesitate to ask for feedback from your peers and mentors. Constructive criticism provides valuable insights and helps you improve. Surround yourself with a supportive network that encourages your growth.
3. Reflect on Your Achievements: Keep a record of your accomplishments, no matter how small they seem. Regularly reviewing your successes can help build confidence and remind you of your capabilities.
4. Continuous Learning: Embrace a mindset of lifelong learning. Take advantage of training programs, workshops, and online courses to enhance your skills. The more knowledge you acquire, the more confident you’ll become in your abilities.
5. Mentorship and Collaboration: Mentoring others can reinforce your own knowledge and skills. Additionally, collaborating with your team can offer new perspectives and solutions, fostering a culture of shared learning and growth.

The Power of Confidence and Manifestation

Belief in yourself is a critical component of success. Dr. Carol Dweck’s research on mindset reveals that individuals with a growth mindset—those who believe their talents can be developed through hard work, good strategies, and input from others—tend to achieve more than those with a fixed mindset. Embracing a growth mindset can transform how you view challenges and setbacks.

I personally leverage vision boards, vision workshops, and defining North Stars to ensure that I am putting myself in the right mindset. I keep these visions, North Stars, and objectives a regular part of everyday conversation, especially when things are hard, so we don't lose sight of where we ultimately want to go. This practice helps maintain focus not just on immediate goals, but on the long-term vision of who we want to be as a product and team. By consistently aligning our daily efforts with our overarching vision, we create a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

Highlighting Team Achievements

As I do daily research and come across news about my team or our competitors, I add these to my boards as reminders of our progress and achievements. This helps ground myself and my team in the reality that we are making significant strides toward our ultimate goals. We regularly stop to celebrate during our sprint cadences, ensuring that everyone recognizes our pioneering efforts. My team is often the first to solve certain problems in the industry, and I make sure they take pride in that. It’s important to remind them that when things get tough, being pioneers means things can get a little messy, and that’s perfectly okay. By celebrating our milestones and acknowledging our unique contributions, we reinforce the importance of our work and motivate ourselves to keep pushing boundaries.

Conclusion

Feeling unqualified at times is a sign that you’re pushing your limits and expanding your horizons. It's perfectly okay to feel this way, but what truly matters is how you choose to respond. Acknowledge these feelings, seek feedback, reflect on your achievements, commit to continuous learning, and foster a supportive environment. By doing so, you can transform these challenging emotions into a powerful drive for growth.

To achieve greatness, you must be bold. Embrace your self-doubt as a catalyst for action and manifest a better future through your vision and efforts. Every step forward, no matter how small, is progress.

Let’s turn our self-doubt into a stepping stone for success. How have you managed feelings of being unqualified or experiencing self-doubt in your career? Share your stories and tips below!

Sources:

1. Clance, P. R., & Imes, S. A. (1978). The imposter phenomenon in high achieving women: Dynamics and therapeutic intervention. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice, 15(3), 241–247.
2. Neff, K. D. (2003). The development and validation of a scale to measure self-compassion. Self and Identity, 2(3), 223–250.
3. Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Random House.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are my own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Wendy's Company or its affiliates. While I am employed by The Wendy's Company, this article reflects my personal research and interests.