Patricia
Gestoso
Inclusion and AI Strategist | Coach |Director of Scientific Support at Gestoso Consulting
"The Confidence Paradox: Leadership, Culture, and Career Advancement for Women in Tech"
"The Confidence Paradox: Leadership, Culture, and Career Advancement for Women in Tech"
Thu May 14 - 8:10 AM EDT/New York (See in local time)
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05/14/2026 8:10 AM
05/14/2026 08:30 AM
America/New_York
#WTGC2026
"The Confidence Paradox: Leadership, Culture, and Career Advancement for Women in Tech"
#WTGC2026
"The Confidence Paradox: Leadership, Culture, and Career Advancement for Women in Tech"
https://www.womentech.net/ringcentral
https://www.womentech.net/ringcentral
"The Confidence Paradox: Leadership, Culture, and Career Advancement for Women in Tech"
"The Confidence Paradox: Leadership, Culture, and Career Advancement for Women in Tech"
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Session: The Confidence Paradox: Leadership, Culture, and Career Advancement for Women in Tech
Confidence is one of the most overvalued and misunderstood signals of success in the tech industry. Often conflated with competence—our actual ability to perform a task—confidence is a poor predictor of performance. Individuals with low self-confidence may deliver outstanding work, while overconfidence can coexist with poor outcomes.Based on original research for the book How Women in Tech Succeed Worldwide, we surveyed 500 women working in technology across roles, industries, and regions about their job satisfaction and the role confidence played in their careers.
We expected that higher job satisfaction would be associated with fewer confidence challenges. The results surprised us. As job satisfaction increased, confidence challenges and imposter syndrome were reported more frequently, while among women with very low job satisfaction, confidence was often not perceived as an issue at all. For these women, structural factors such as toxic workplaces—not confidence—were at the core of their dissatisfaction.
These findings reveal a paradox: confidence is framed as an individual responsibility, yet it is significantly shaped by managers, workplace culture, and broader support networks.
Combining survey data with participant narratives, this keynote examines how confidence influences the career progression of women in tech and presents proven, actionable practices for both women and leaders to address confidence challenges—without reinforcing “fix-the-woman” narratives.
Key Takeaways
- 1. The counterintuitive relationship between job satisfaction, confidence, and imposter syndrome among women in tech.
- 2. How leadership behaviours and organisational culture amplify or erode confidence among women in tech.
- 3. Evidence-based strategies for women and leaders to support career advancement while addressing confidence as a cultural and leadership issue, not an individual flaw.
Bio
Dr Patricia Gestoso is an award-winning inclusion strategist, technologist, and thought leader with over 25 years of experience driving digital transformation across industries, including life sciences and consumer packaged goods.She is the founder of Gestoso Consulting, where she empowers leaders to leverage AI for sustainable growth and ethical innovation. Patricia also serves as Director of Scientific Support at Dassault Systèmes BIOVIA, bridging advanced technologies with impactful business outcomes. Her previous leadership roles include Global Head of Training and Contract Research.
A certified work-life coach, Patricia helps ambitious women in tech navigate career advancement and leadership without burnout. She leads UK partnerships for European Women on Boards and advises the British nonprofit We and I, advancing women’s leadership and ethical AI adoption.
Featured among the most influential women in UK tech, she is recognised for her expertise in AI, computer simulation, and inclusive design of tech workplaces and products.
