Honoured to Speak at PWN Vienna: Confidence-Boosting Mindset Shifts and Techniques I Shared to Overcome Imposter Syndrome
- Dilek Süzal
- Apr 16
- 2 min read
Ever felt like you're one comment away from shrinking into silence, even though you've worked hard to be in that room?
Ever had that moment, just before speaking up, saying yes to a project, or introducing yourself in a room full of strangers, where you freeze, even though you know you’re capable?
Last week, I had the honour of speaking at PWN Vienna’s Link Up & Learn event where Claudia Cordie and I hosted an interview on one of the most misunderstood traits in professional life: Self-confidence.
Let’s be real: Confidence is not the absence of self-doubt. And it’s definitely not arrogance.
Confident people hesitate, make mistakes and fail forward.
As a former architect, expat, and coach who's navigated many transitions (and inner storms), I know firsthand how that quiet self-doubt can make you feel like an imposter, even when you're experienced, even when you're ready.
But here’s what I’ve learned:
✨ Confidence is choosing to make your purpose louder than your fear, even when the imposter voice creeps in.
✨ It’s using your voice in a way that gets heard, sometimes through facts, other times through perspective.
✨ Self-esteem grounds you. Self-confidence moves you. Together, they help you rise.
We explored how confidence is built:
💎 Through immediate micro-shifts: posture, breathing, tone.
💎 Through the Home-Risk model: growing your edge, while staying grounded through daily rituals.
💎 Through reframing failure not as proof of inadequacy, but evidence of growth.
I was truly moved by the openness, the vulnerability, and the strength of an international group of women from all walks of life. It was a reminder that while self-doubt is universal, so is the capacity to rise above it.
Thank you to everyone who joined and contributed so generously to the discussion. And to PWN Vienna and commonroom for hosting and creating this safe and empowering space.
If you walked away with a new insight or a mindset shift, I’d love to hear it. If you missed the event but want to explore these topics, feel free to reach out, I love continuing these conversations.
Warmly,
Dilek
Official Collaboration Partners:
★ Lead Coach at the global coaching platform BetterUp based in USA.
★ Executive Coach and Trainer at SparkUs based in Turkey and Netherlands.
★ Impact Partner for coaching, training & facilitation projects at leadership experts Think Beyond Group based in Austria.
★ Leadership Coach at Percoms AG, based in Switzerland.
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