Lean into the future, never into fear*
When I read Sheryl Sandberg’s “Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead”, something inside me changed. The author’s words echoed challenges I was experiencing as a woman and gave me the courage to embrace opportunities and lead confidently. The idea that our careers don’t have to be linear, like a ladder, but can resemble a tree, where sometimes you have to climb up side branches or even step back and then climb up again, was liberating. More than that, the book made me think about where I can go, what I can do, and how I can inspire other women to do the same.
When I entered the job market, I decided to “lean in”. I accepted challenges far beyond my comfort zone, believing in my potential and ability to learn. A striking example was when I decided to work for a technology company to build a digital product from scratch, even though I had no experience in the area.
At that moment, I decided that, even if I was afraid, I would go. As Sandberg asks in the book, “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?” That decision transformed my trajectory and taught me that continuous learning and courage are fundamental to growth. Today, I believe that when I think I know everything about something, it’s a sign that I need to look for new challenges because growth only happens outside your comfort zone.
About imposter syndrome
Imposter syndrome is a constant theme among women working in technology. I’ve taken part in several groups that discuss this issue across different positions, ages, and nationalities. The good news is that I see a growing movement towards inclusion in the sector. But there is still a long way to go before women make up a greater number in leadership positions and support other women with mentoring, inspiration, and example.
The insecurity we feel often comes from fear, but fear of what? Life is too short to allow that to paralyze us. Women tend to worry too much about what others think or doubt themselves when faced with challenges. We often hesitate to speak up or take a stand because we believe others know better. But the truth is that we know just as much as those others – and if we don’t, we can learn.
In product management, in particular, we are often the “least specialized” in the room, because our role is often more generalist. This may sound intimidating, but it’s a position of power: we’re constantly learning from the specialists around us and connecting different perspectives to deliver value, creativity, and differentiation.
To turn this mentality around, I have developed some strategies:
- Support network: Talking to women facing similar challenges helps to see new perspectives and strengthens self-esteem.
- Confidence: Believe in what you know and are capable of. Insecurity is often unfounded.
- Celebrate your achievements: Make a map of your life, look at everything you’ve achieved, and be proud of it.
- Surround yourself with good energy: Stay close to those who recognize your value, support your decision,s and encourage you to grow. Confidence-boosting environments make all the difference when it comes to overcoming challenges.
- Avoid comparisons: Take inspiration from women you admire, but don’t compare yourself to them. Comparison only brings anxiety and is rarely fair.
- Self-awareness: Know your limits, your worth, and learn to say no. This is essential for creating a healthy and sustainable career.
We need to create environments where more women feel comfortable contributing and growing. This includes developing inclusive products and diversifying teams, ensuring that different voices are heard. In this regard, companies that promote gender diversity see improvements in performance and innovation. However, female presence in leadership positions remains limited, with women occupying only 27% of leadership positions in Portugal, according to a study by Informa DB.
In Brazil, I had the honor of being part of the Worldwide Women in Tech organization, a beautiful project encouraging girls and women to pursue careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Seeing so many women helping, supporting, and guiding each other was inspiring. Today, I continue to look for ways to give back to the community because I believe that helping other women creates a cycle of collective growth. When women support and help each other, we all grow.
Leaning into the future is therefore an ongoing process. It’s not just about reaching leadership positions, but about opening doors for other women and transforming the system to work better for everyone. Inspired by Sandberg’s quote, “Leadership is not about being at the top, it’s about making a difference”, I encourage every woman to embrace their fears, believe in their potential, and search for their own definition of success.
The path may not be linear, but that is exactly what makes it unique and powerful.
*This article was originally published in Observador.
