Unshakable Confidence: Strategies for Women in Tech with Céline Hervé

Summary

In this Real Women in Tech podcast episode, host Igor Zagre  & Shivam Khullar speak with Celine Herve, a people partner at Grammarly and author of 'Swipe Right on Confidence.' They discuss the challenges women face in tech, the importance of self-advocacy, and the impact of cultural transitions on personal growth. Celine shares her journey from Google to Grammarly, her experiences with the #IAmRemarkable program, and insights on building unshakeable confidence. The conversation emphasizes the need for courage, the significance of setting boundaries, and the role of self-advocacy in overcoming modesty norms. In this conversation, Céline Hervé and Shivam discuss the importance of setting boundaries in personal and professional contexts, women's challenges in advocating for themselves, and strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome. They explore negotiation tactics for women, emphasizing the need for self-awareness and understanding one's worth. The discussion also highlights the significance of building confidence and offers financial awareness and personal development resources.

Takeaways

• 70% of women in tech feel they need to work harder.
• Céline's journey includes significant cultural transitions.
• Self-advocacy is essential for personal growth.
• Courage is about facing fears and taking risks.
• Accomplishments need to be acknowledged and shared.
• Céline emphasizes the importance of boundaries.
• The I Am Remarkable program empowers women to self-promote.
• Céline's experiences at Google shaped her career.
• Finding advocates can help in self-advocacy.
• Saying sorry too often can undermine self-worth. Boundaries are essential in both personal and professional life.
• Listening to your body can help identify boundary violations.
• Setting boundaries can be challenging, especially if not established early on.
• Silence can be a powerful tool in communication and boundary setting.
• Women negotiate as much as men, but they often receive less.
• Self-advocacy requires understanding systemic limitations in workplaces.
• Imposter syndrome is common and can be managed by acknowledging it.
• Negotiation should consider the total compensation package, not just salary.
• Confidence can be built through small, practical steps.
• Resources like financial awareness programs can empower women.

Sound Bites

• "Accomplishments do not speak for themselves."
• "Céline's journey is about disrupting herself."
• "Courage is not the absence of fear."
• "Self-advocacy is crucial for growth."
• "I broke down crying because I was so ashamed."
• "Finding someone who believes in you is key."
• "It's not bragging if it's based on facts."
• "Saying sorry all the time hurts your worth."
• "We feel like there's something wrong."
• "Silence is a potent tool."
• "Everyone feels this way."