Meet Dr. Michele-Vera Yonga, the author behind “Triumphing Over Impostor Syndrome”, a transformative book shedding light on the silent struggles of high-achievers.
After excelling in a prestigious research organization yet battling persistent self-doubt, she embarked on a journey to understand why so many accomplished women and minority groups feel like they don’t measure up—even when their success proves otherwise.
Through research, personal experience, and faith, she uncovered a powerful truth: even the most fearless leaders struggle with impostor syndrome.
In our latest interview, she shares her insights on breaking free from self-doubt, embracing resilience, and rewriting the narrative of success.
Read the full interview below and discover how she is redefining success by helping women overcome impostor syndrome and embrace their full potential.
How has technology and social media impacted the way you approach helping people build authentic confidence?
I believe that technology and social media are powerful tools for reaching and supporting people in building authentic confidence. They allow for wider access to resources, communities, and inspiring stories that normalize challenges like self-doubt. However, they also magnify the need to address comparison and unrealistic standards.
My approach emphasizes using these platforms mindfully, such as encouraging individuals to focus on personal growth, connect with supportive networks, and consume uplifting content that does not diminish their sense of self-worth.
What is the most surprising discovery you’ve made about impostor syndrome in the professional setting?
“As I researched about impostor syndrome, / engaged in some insightful conversations with a work colleagues on the topic. To my greatest surprise, even fearless appearing leaders admitted to having experienced it. Quoting directly from page 6 of ‘Triumphing Over Impostor Syndrome’ paragraph 3.
“I realized I wasn’t alone. Impostor syndrome was lurking in the shadows of the most unexpected places- even among top leadership at work”.
Furthermore, I was amazed to find out that even prominent personalities such as the former US First Lady Michelle Obama, and the famous actress Viola Davis had experienced it as well and were willing to share their stories with the world to encourage other young girls and women to not let fear or self-doubt paralyze them.
Could you share a transformative moment from your own journey that inspired one of the strategies in Your latest book “Triumphing Over Impostor Syndrome”
One of the eight strategies I share in Triumphing Over Impostor Syndrome is to seek support. / know it sounds like one of those overused pieces of advice that’s easier said than done. For the longest time, I struggled with it too.
Let me take you back to a transformative moment in my life that inspired me to include this strategy in the book. I’ll never forget this experience, which I mention on page 44. It happened during one of the most difficult weeks of my career. It occurred within the first couple of months working in my leadership position. l’d made real, tangible mistakes that almost derailed two major projects. 1 made typographical errors when requesting
necessary procedures for the projects. I had entered a wrong date for one, and a wrong time for the other. Thankfully, I caught and fixed them in time, but not without the help of other team members. Despite the save, the damage to my self-confidence was done. My inner critic was in overdrive, whispering, “You’re a fraud.” Normally, I’d have tried to push through it alone, bottling up my feelings and prolonging that awful low. But something inside me nudged me to do something different.
So I reached out to a trusted friend, someone I knew would truly listen. And let me tell you-what she said to me changed everything. She reminded me that mistakes don’t define us and that I had worked so hard to earn my place, and that being human means sometimes messing up. Her words didn’t just pull me out of that dark moment; they gave me a fresh perspective. That conversation was a turning point, my “aha” moment. To this day, I don’t think she fully realizes just how much her support meant to me.
I realized that in my quest to silence my inner critic, I could not shy away from seeking help. As a matter of fact, it profoundly dawned on me that this should be one of the strategies in my coping tool box. Experiences like this one are why I felt so strongly about sharing this strategy. Yes, it may sound simple, even cliché, but reaching out when you’re struggling can be truly transformative.
What’s your advice for turning moments of self-doubt into opportunities for growth for professionals?
I would advise professionals who experience moments of self-doubt to first recognize it for what it is- simply self-doubt. Then take a moment to reflect over the objective measures surrounding your professional life, by acknowledging your achievements- big and small, and actively challenging every negative self-talk.
Replace thoughts of self-doubt with positive affirmations that highlight your strengths; and view your challenges with a growth mindset. Seek support from peers and mentors, and set small achievable goals.
Finally, practice self-compassion and challenge perfectionism; realizing that self-doubt can fuel resilience when approached constructively.
How do you balance sharing vulnerable, personal experiences while maintaining professional boundaries in your writing approach?
I strongly believe in practicing active self-reflection when faced with any task. The same applies to my writing approach. The goal is to share enough of my personal experience that is relevant to the topic of discussion to which readers can relate, while acknowledging to myself aspects that are sensitive enough to be left out so as not to draw away from the focus on the readers for which the book is/was intended.
Additionally, the art of professionalism involves continuous growth, so I strive to improve with every piece, as I receive feedback on my work.
Could you walk us through one of your favorite practical exercises for building resilience, especially during challenging times?
One of my favorite practical activities for building resilience is to create a daily ‘done’ list alongside my daily ‘to-do’ list. Then at the end of each day, 1 take a few minutes to review my done list, taking stock of what I accomplished, and gaining insight on my progress.
This helps me shift my focus from challenges to gratitude, and trains my mind to notice the positives even during tough times. It also fosters a sense of control and positivity which are key to resilience.
How do you help people find the balance between striving for excellence and accepting their authentic selves?
I help people balance striving for excellence with accepting their authentic selves by encouraging them to first align their goals with their values, not external expectations. I make them understand that they must challenge perfectionism by ceasing to compare with others and just doing their best while honoring their individuality. I also emphasize on the practice of self-compassion, by being as graceful to ourselves as we would a friend facing similar challenges.
I leverage the fact that everyone, including our most celebrated leaders, who may appear fearless and all-knowing, have their flaws, and we all are just human. So rather than focus on perfection, we must celebrate progress, and learn from every set-back.
Finally, I remind people that our authenticity is our strength, and when we apply a growth mindset rather than the tendency to compare ourselves to others, we are able to pursue excellence without losing sight of our authentic selves
What has been the most challenging self-limiting belief you’ve had to overcome in your own journey as an author and advocate?
My most challenging self-limiting belief in my journey as an author and advocate which I have had to overcome is the fear that my voice wasn’t unique or valuable enough to make an impact.
Overtime, I have learned that my authenticity and perspective are my strengths, and that sharing my experiences could resonate with others in ways / might not anticipate. Embracing this has helped me find confidence in my work and purpose in connecting with others. I had a fellow young woman who recently started her podcast tell me that I was her motivation to finally engage in that which she had been holding back for several years due to her fear of not being good enough. She said that reading Triumphing Over Impostor Syndrome was so timely, giving her the final push she needed to overcome her fear. Such feedback solidifies my resolve to add my authentic voice to the conversation, and to keep impacting lives through advocacy.
What would you say to someone who’s currently where you started, dreaming of making a similar impact in the writing space?
I would tell them to start where they are and to trust that their voice matters. Don’t wait for perfection, just take small consistent steps toward your goal; whether it’s writing a single page or sharing your ideas with others. Embrace the process, taking every setback as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Stay authentic to your message and focus on the impact you intend to create rather than comparing yourself with others because your unique perspective has the ability to inspire, and a the only way to make an impact is to begin.
