We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Vimari Roman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Vimari, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
It took me some time to overcome imposter syndrome. Initially, I had to acknowledge its presence and recognize that I was experiencing it. Once I became more familiar with imposter syndrome, I realized that it was fueled by my “Hyper-Achiever” saboteur. Reflecting on my career journey, which began at the front desk of a hotel when I was just 15 years old, I realized that I excelled in my role. Providing service to others and performing well came naturally to me. I quickly advanced, supervising new team members within a year or two. Despite my success, I felt pressure to adopt a more serious demeanor and appear older to earn respect, particularly due to my young age. As I continued to progress, doubts about my value, particularly without a college degree, began to surface. These feelings of insecurity sometimes deterred me from pursuing certain opportunities.
Identifying my triggers was crucial. I noticed that when I was thrown into situations, I performed well, but when considering higher positions or challenges beyond my comfort zone, self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy emerged. Despite this, I challenged negative thoughts and pushed forward, guided by my high school motto, “live without regrets.” The fear of regret outweighed my self-doubt, propelling me forward.
My journey to overcoming imposter syndrome was gradual. As I gained more experience and became certified as a coach, helping others navigate their own struggles, I began to celebrate my achievements and actively seek growth opportunities. While imposter syndrome occasionally resurfaces, my ability to recognize and overcome it has improved with age and experience. While complete eradication may be unlikely, continually striving for mental fitness can mitigate its impact.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Let me share a bit more about my journey. I often describe myself as a recovering hotelier and certified meeting manager turned Professional Certified Coach. My career has been shaped by a deep commitment to service and leadership.
As a second-generation hotelier, for over two decades, I’ve been deeply involved in the Hospitality and MICE industries, working with prestigious names like Sonesta, LXR Luxury Resorts, Hilton Hotels, and Accor. From ensuring exceptional guest experiences to managing strategic meetings and events, I’ve had the opportunity to grow and excel in various roles.
Before delving into coaching, I earned my Certificate in Meeting Management (CMM) and gained valuable experience as a third-party meeting planner. This role not only honed my leadership skills but also ignited my passion for empowering others.
Transitioning into coaching felt like a natural progression for me. Leveraging my extensive background in career strategies, leadership dynamics, and human behavior, I’ve guided thousands of professionals toward their goals, helping them uncover their purpose, integrate their lives, and enhance their positive intelligence.
But my commitment to service extends beyond the professional realm. As a servant leader, I’ve had the privilege of serving two terms as Village Council in El Portal. This experience has been incredibly rewarding, allowing me to make a positive impact on the community and further develop my leadership skills.
In addition to coaching and community service, I’m passionate about sharing knowledge. As a sought-after speaker, I’ve addressed audiences on topics like Mental Fitness, Personal Branding, Purpose, and Career Strategies. I’ve also been recognized as a LinkedIn Career Expert, actively contributing to the professional development community.
My commitment to excellence extends to my involvement in professional organizations. I serve on the Board of the South Florida International Coaching Federation (ICF) Chapter, where I’m dedicated to shaping the future of coaching in our community. Additionally, as faculty at 50/50 Women on Boards I work with executive women who aspire to get on paid corporate boards, and lastly as an Adjunct Faculty at FAU, I’m passionate about educating and inspiring the next generation of event professionals.
My journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, growth, and making a positive impact. And I’m excited to continue this journey, empowering individuals, and teams, shaping the future of leadership, and making a difference by bringing back humanity in both professional and community settings.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I’ll go back to my perseverance, growth mindset, and desire to making a positive impact. I believe those are the qualities and skills that have helped me achieve my version of success while also contributing to the legacy that I would like to leave. My advice to young professionals or those just getting started in their careers is to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. When faced with obstacles or setbacks, instead of seeing them as roadblocks, view them as chances to learn, develop, and improve.
Maintaining a growth mindset means believing in your ability to learn and grow from experience. It’s about understanding that setbacks are not permanent and that with perseverance and determination, you can overcome any obstacle.
Furthermore, always strive to make a positive impact in everything you do. Whether it’s in your professional role or in your interactions with others, seek opportunities to contribute positively to the world around you. This can be through acts of kindness, mentorship, volunteering, or simply being a supportive colleague or friend.
Remember, every step you take, no matter how small, has the potential to make a difference. By embracing challenges, maintaining a growth mindset, and seeking to make a positive impact, you’ll not only achieve success in your career but also leave a lasting legacy of inspiration and empowerment.
Remember that, in the end, people will only remember how you made them feel.
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
I strongly believe in leveraging our strengths while continuously learning and acquiring new skills. Research supports this notion, indicating that working within our strengths leads to increased happiness and success. My own experience further reinforces this belief—I’ve successfully led teams that focused on leveraging individual strengths rather than constantly trying to improve weaknesses.
Each of us possesses natural strengths and talents, which can make our work more enjoyable and productive. It’s akin to surfing with the current rather than against it. While we can certainly improve skills through practice, the results may not be as effective or immediate as when working within our strengths.
Therefore, I recommend embracing your strengths and seeking collaboration with others in areas where you may not excel as much. By doing so, you can maximize your potential and achieve greater success in your endeavors.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.beproductivecoching.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beproductivecoaching/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vimariroman/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/beproductivemia
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeProductiveCoaching
Image Credits
Hazel Photographers Instagram @hazelphotographers
