Ep.157 - Stop Shrinking in Your Role

Ep.157 - Stop Shrinking in Your Role

From Women in Data Podcast by womenindata

April 14, 2026 · 24 min · Episode 159

About this episode

Michelle Adebayo shares her experience with imposter syndrome and strategies to regain confidence in a new role.

Have you ever stepped into a new role… and suddenly felt smaller than you expected? You worked hard to get there. You have the experience. But a few weeks in, you walk into meetings and start second-guessing yourself. Everyone else seems more established, more confident. And before you realise it, you start shrinking. In this episode of the Women in Data Podcast, Karen is joined by Michelle Adebayo, Data and AI Governance Manager, who shares her experience of navigating imposter syndrome after joining an organisation where many colleagues had been there for decades. Despite nearly a decade of experience in data governance, Michelle found herself stepping back in meetings, letting others speak for her, and questioning whether she really belonged. A candid moment with a mentor forced her to confront what was really going on: fear. Michelle shares how she rebuilt her confidence, learned the language of the organisation, and developed practical strategies to stay visible and influential in meetings. If you’ve ever felt smaller in a role you worked hard to get, this episode will remind you of something important: You earned your place. Your voice belongs in the room.

People in this episode

Guest: Michelle Adebayo

Topics covered

  • imposter syndrome
  • confidence
  • data governance
  • career development

Keywords

  • visibility
  • influence
  • meetings
  • fear

Mentioned in this episode

Products: data governance

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