Impostor Syndrome
and the Ambitious Latina
The Imposter Syndrome, that
dreaded, negative internal voice
that simply won’t give us a break.
No matter how hard we’ve worked, or how
much we’ve accomplished, the internal dialogue
within our consciousness still seems to echo
sentiments of inadequacy, lack of credibility, and
no real joy in what was just achieved. An estimated
70 percent of the population experience
the Imposter Syndrome in their lives, as this
psychological phenomenon impacts everyone from
graduate students to CEO’s. It is very likely that
someone you highly admire has something to say
about this subject matter. As if that weren’t enough
to work through, as Latinas, we also face cultural
implications around being an ambitious woman
and the challenges we still face in the
corporate/business structure today.
When I first started my career in the
corporate structure, I knew in my heart that it
wasn’t just about being financially secure. I wanted
to learn, grow, and ultimately make a name for
myself. I started my professional career in logistics,
an industry that initially did not welcome young
Latinas as potential leaders. Due to this, my
ambition went un-nurtured for the first four years of
my career. At the age of 23, I accepted a new role
at a Riverside-based logistics company, was paired
up with a boss who believed in me, and started to
grow in both my professional abilities as well as my
personal brand of excellence. My boss at the time,
was a middle-aged, white male. He sent me to
training courses, leadership development seminars,
and advocated for me in rooms where I wasn’t
always present. He did all he could to help me, but
there were still situations where being a woman
meant that I couldn’t come along.
In those moments where I felt stagnant, I
took time to read and dive into some of the things
that may be holding me back. I didn’t have low
self-esteem. I was very clear on my abilities and
desire to learn. What was it? I picked up a copy
of Sheryl Sandberg’s book, Lean In, and found
the terminology that framed my thought process
– Impostor Syndrome. As I challenged these
thought patterns within myself to help overcome
any self-sabotaging, internal rhetoric that I was
Michelle Gomez is an
accomplished corporate executive
with over two decades riding the
waves of the corporate structure
as a first-generation
Latina-American. The first in her
family to graduate from college,
she has earned a Bachelor’s
Degree in Business Management,
a Master’s Degree in Business
Administration, and a
certification in Broadcast
Journalism. She lives in Southern
California with her husband Mark
and two daughters, Mikala and
Madeline.
subconsciously buying into, it also occurred to me
that many of the positions I was looking to fill (a.k.a.
getting a seat at the table), were positions that
hadn’t previously been filled by Latinas prior to me.
I decided then and there that I was going to break
the mold and challenge the status quo. I was also
going to advocate for more entry points to allow the
women who came after me to land those roles with
the same level of credibility and empowerment as
the male candidates.
I worked on my internal thought process,
inventoried my professional aptitude, and continued
to put myself out there for opportunity to find me.
Once that shift in mindset came, a company
aggressively pursued me, and I was able to
interview confidently and negotiate my salary from
a place of self-worth. My Impostor Syndrome
thoughts, nor the nagging commentary of, “You
know that they will never value a woman (not to
mention a Latina), for the salary you’re asking for.
Just take what you can get and be happy”, weren’t
invited to this interview. I spoke from a position of
power, poise, knowing who I was and what I had to
bring to the table.
Since the release of my first book, Own Your
Brilliance: Overcome Impostor Syndrome for
Career Success, I have launched my company,
Michelle Gomez Coaching LLC, where my unique
approach to career advancement is designed to
help other women achieve their next promotion or
career transition with an emphasis on personal
branding, effective negotiation, and the design
of a healthy work/life balance. Ambitious women
everywhere have the ability to do very well at work
and at home, without sacrificing your dreams, your
health, or your families. My clients receive the
career clarity and access to the tools, resources,
and strategies that are required for the Ambitious
Woman to achieve her goals.
To the ambitious Latinas everywhere…you
are worthy, capable, and deserving of the goals you
have set before you. Your children deserve a
mother they can brag about. The Latina wage gap
is still 47 percent, today. We have work to do. I look
forward to seeing you at the top. LS
N
much
About the Author
By Michelle Gomez, The Latina Career Coach
Want to comment or have any questions on
this article? Email us at info@latinastyle.com
42 www.latinastyle.com LATINAStyle Vol. 25, No. 3, 2019
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