Navigating Bias & Discrimination in Tech Industry, Fighting Imposter Syndrome + Building Resilience: Stephanie Itimi - Part Two

Glowing in Tech

Cybersecurity expert Stephanie Itimi shares her biggest career challenge as a woman in tech. She describes how microaggressions from her manager undermined her confidence and how she used peer reviews to advocate for her work. She emphasises the importance of having a support network and self-awareness to combat imposter syndrome.

In this episode, we highlight the significance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. They argue that creating a fair and equitable workplace requires a focus on inclusion, not just diversity. We suggest that companies need to shift their perspective on diversity and inclusion from being a fancy word to an essential everyday practice. We also discuss the issue of tokenization and the importance of incorporating inclusive practices, psychological safety, and retaining diverse talent. We emphasize the need for companies to understand their culture and work towards accommodating and thriving with diverse talent. Overall, the episode emphasizes the need for companies to prioritize diversity and inclusion to create a fair and equitable workplace for everyone.

We discuss the importance of company culture, especially when a company is scaling. They note that many companies prioritize profits and growth without considering the impact on their culture. This can lead to a lack of understanding and clarity around the company culture. We suggest that this is where the risk lies, as a company's culture can become diluted or lost as it grows. They also highlight the role of mid-managers in cultivating and maintaining a company's culture and suggest that a culture audit can be useful in identifying areas for improvement. Overall, we emphasize the need for companies to prioritize their culture and actively work to maintain it as they scale.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00:00 Introduction

[00:00:37] Microaggressions in the workplace.

[00:03:29] Surviving in tech.

[00:06:37] Self-confidence in the workplace.

[00:09:47] Importance of psychological safety.

[00:13:36] Diversity and Inclusion in Tech.

[00:16:08] Workplace equity and inclusion.

[00:19:45] Diversity and inclusion in companies.

[00:22:26] Company Culture at Scale.

[00:25:50] D&I work should never be free.

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