logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2022
35m 42s

Leveraging Mentors to Grow Your Confiden...

Kim Meninger
About this episode

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about how easy it is to experience self-doubt and impostor syndrome when you feel different from those around you. My guest, Amber Barber, a senior director of program management in the high-tech industry, talks about her experience as the only woman studying physics when she went to college. She also talks about how often being the only woman in her workplace has led her to feel pressured to constantly prove herself. Amber shares how her experience with mentors has helped her to navigate challenges and stay focused on growing her career. She also shares tips for how you can find a mentor and maximize that experience. 

 About My Guest

 Amber Barber is an experienced problem solver, with nearly 22 years of fixing other people’s mistakes in the high-tech world.  After earning both her bachelor's and masters degrees in physics, Amber started at National Semiconductor in Texas.  She has since held roles at several other companies, including Microsoft and Lam Research, and is currently the senior director of Jade Global’s program management office, working remotely from a small town in Oregon.  Her passion for learning and guiding others drove her training and certifications in both PMI Project Management as well as Lean Six Sigma, where she earned Master Black Belt.  Amber is a proud mom of four adult children, and lives in her empty nest with two spoiled cats and her incredibly patient husband Brad.  Amber loves all things geek, reading for hours, and traveling the world.

~

Connect with Amber:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberbarber/

~

Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:

Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:
https://yourcareersuccess.com/impostor-syndrome-challenge/ 

Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:
https://yourcareersuccess.com/leading-humans-discussion-group/

Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6 

Join the Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumans

Schedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-session 

Connect on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/ 

Websites:
https://yourcareersuccess.com
https://impostorsyndromefiles.com

Up next
Jul 8
Keep It Human: Embracing Uncertainty and Sharing Power in Leadership
In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about embracing uncertainty as a leader. What does it really mean to lead with humanity—especially in an age of AI, change fatigue, and constant uncertainty? My guest this week is Jim Bouchard, author, speaker, and founder o ... Show More
34m 17s
Jul 1
Owning Your Whole Self: Leadership Through Self-Acceptance
In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about embracing your authentic self. Are you constantly trying to prove yourself at work? Do you feel like you're playing a role, hoping no one notices you're unsure beneath the surface?This week, I’m joined by Aaron Helton, ... Show More
35m 18s
Jun 24
From Fear to Curiosity: Rewriting the Unknown
In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we explore what’s possible when we shift from fear to curiosity in the face of the unknown. Change is hard—not just because of what’s happening around us, but because of what’s happening inside of us. Our brains are wired to protect ... Show More
36m 29s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2023
Understanding your Key Skills with FYLD’s Shelley Copsey
How can you harness your strengths and understand your weaknesses? FYLD’s CEO Shelley Copsey has spent her extensive career figuring out just that and has some great advice for anyone that is hard on themselves about their perceived shortcomings. At FYLD she spends time with juni ... Show More
23m 29s
Jun 25
🎙️ Mentorship, Leadership & Mindset Growth with Marcus Gurske | Speak English Clearly & Confidently at Work
🎙️ In this episode of the Real English Conversations Podcast, Curtis reconnects with longtime friend, mentor, and leadership strategist Marcus Gurske to dive deep into what it means to lead with purpose and mentor with impact. With over 20 years of experience in professional com ... Show More
23m 56s
Sep 2024
152: From Classroom to Freelance to Higher Education ID, A Journey of Learning with Josephine Coco, Instructional Technologist, Empire State University
In this episode, Holly Owens and Josephine Coco discuss the journey into the field of instructional design and technology. Josephine shares her personal story of returning to education later in life, the challenges she faced, and the importance of mentorship and networking in the ... Show More
59m 28s
Jul 2024
224 Cate Faddis - The Leadership Journey
Cate Faddis is in the midst of an interesting career and journey. She has spent over 25 years in investment management and financial services, working as a managing partner at Mason Capital Partners, and President and Chief Investment Officer at Grace Capital. Early in her career ... Show More
16m 50s
Apr 8
Balancing Speaking With Your Full Time Job + Mastering Cold Outreach (Live Coaching W/ Erick)
“Knowing who you are as an individual on the spiritual side of life helps guide you to who you are created to be.”One of the coolest parts of TSL is watching our coaches work 1:1 with students and helping them find the clarity and confidence they need to take their speaking busin ... Show More
31m 19s
Mar 2025
How to Separate Passion from Pressure
Can social conditioning, past experiences, and external pressure affect the way we explore figuring out our Sparketype? Or, for that matter, any metric we might look to, as a way to help figure out what drives us? And how do we turn down the volume on social conditioning and perc ... Show More
41m 46s
Jun 2024
684: How to Be a Better Mentor, with Ruth Gotian
Ruth Gotian: The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring Ruth Gotian is the Chief Learning Officer and Associate Professor of Education in Anaesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine. She has been hailed by Nature and The Wall Street Journal as an expert in mentorship and leader­ship de ... Show More
38m 3s
May 2021
Episode 43: Finding Mentors and Surrounding Yourself With People Who Encourage and Push You to Be Better at Your Craft
In this episode, we’re sharing a conversation about finding mentors and surrounding yourself with people who encourage you and push you to be better at your craft. This can feel like a difficult thing to do, especially in a profession where we are used to working alone and behind ... Show More
45m 7s
Oct 2022
NLP Transformed My Mindset and Unleashed The Potential Of My Business - the journey of a Personal Stylist with Sian Fisher
Have a passion to run a business but know your mindset is getting in the way of your success? Are you looking to get rid of the “what if” moments? Wondering if NLP can help Business Leaders (who are not Coaches)?  … this was Sian Fisher. Sian had an opportunity in 2019 to leave h ... Show More
45m 49s
Nov 2023
Charlie Saffro of CS Recruiting: Asking the Right Questions
Our newest episode of Speaking to Influence features Charlie Saffro, CEO and Founder of CS Recruiting, who talks about the importance of resourcefulness and curiosity in a job interview, and how to do it by doing your research on social media and asking the right questions…and ev ... Show More
32 m