For the JavaLand x Women in Tech series, Ixchel Ruiz has interviewed female speakers of the upcoming JavaLand 2026 at Europa-Park. These speaker spotlights give you the opportunity to get to know the speaker better and get their valuable input and insight on current topics. You can find more background information regarding the Women in Tech movement as well as Ixchel's motivation behind it in our previous article.
Session Title:“Was seht ihr eigentlich in mir?” – Die eigene Wahrnehmung verändern
Time: Wednesday, 11.03.2026 | 10:00 – 10:40
Room: Magic Cinema
Language: German
Focus: Methodology & Culture
Why is it so hard to believe a compliment?
Many of us have experienced it. Someone praises our work. They highlight our progress. They point out a strength. And instead of feeling proud, we quietly think: “That wasn’t such a big deal.” Or worse: “They’re just being nice.”
Tamara Josten’s session starts exactly there. In the uncomfortable gap between how we see ourselves and how others see us.
Meet the Speaker: Tamara Josten
Tamara Josten entered the tech industry as a career changer and has been working in software testing for just over three years. In that time, she has spoken at conferences, delivered a workshop, passed her ISTQB Foundation Level exam after some ups and downs, and continuously developed her skills.
And yet, she found herself asking a recurring question: Why do others see something in me that I don’t see myself?
This talk grew out of her own experiences and many conversations within the community. Tamara realised that the struggle to accept positive feedback is more common than we admit. Especially for career changers, but not only for them.
Why Tamara Brought This Conversation to JavaLand
The idea for this session came from a deeply personal observation. Tamara noticed how difficult it was for her to accept praise or recognise her own achievements as genuine successes. Even when others were impressed, she often thought, “That was just my duty.”
This gap between self-perception and external perception is the core of her talk. While others see strengths, growth, and resilience, we often downplay or normalise our achievements.
In this interactive session, Tamara explores why this happens and how we can consciously work with feedback instead of dismissing it. Participants will not just listen; they will experience it. Through small interactive exercises, including tools like the Johari Window and what she calls the “Compliment Challenge,” attendees will gain practical techniques to reflect on how they see themselves.
Importantly, this is not another talk about imposter syndrome. It is about learning to look at ourselves in a more realistic and compassionate way.
The One Idea She Wants You to Take Home
How we see ourselves is only one perspective, and not always the most realistic one.
Positive feedback is not politeness or exaggeration. It is valuable information. When we learn to consciously accept praise instead of immediately devaluing it, we build a more accurate and kinder self-image.
Tamara wants the audience to leave with a simple but powerful shift in mindset: other people often see more in us than we allow ourselves to see.
Her Perspective: Support Makes a Difference
As a woman and a career changer in tech, Tamara’s journey has been strongly shaped by support. She openly shares that she has not experienced disadvantages because of her gender or background. On the contrary, she received encouragement and guidance from colleagues, mentors, and members of the community, including many male allies.
For her, this reinforces the message of the talk. Support only works when we allow ourselves to accept it. Feedback matters, regardless of role, experience, or gender. When someone sees potential or progress in us, dismissing it too quickly means dismissing a valuable perspective.
Her experience highlights the importance of community and encouragement, especially for those entering tech from non-traditional paths.
Why JavaLand Is the Right Place for This Talk
Tamara is especially looking forward to the exchange that happens between sessions. The spontaneous conversations, shared reflections, and small encounters that spark new ideas.
For her, conferences are not only about presentations, but about learning from each other. And of course, JavaLand’s unique location adds an extra layer of joy to the experience.
Join the Conversation
This session invites you to pause and ask yourself a simple question: what if others are right about you?
If you have ever struggled to accept praise, questioned your own achievements, or felt that your self-image might not tell the whole story, this talk offers tools and reflection.
Bring your curiosity, your openness, and maybe a little courage to JavaLand 2026. You might leave seeing yourself differently.
This article’s grammar and syntax were refined using ChatGPT and DeepL. The content reflects the speaker’s ideas, hopes, and statements.
