From "Imposter" to Inspirer: A Speaker's Journey
Paweł Zajączkowski, a development manager from Poland, is well-known in the technical conference world. With his presentations on management, communication in project teams, and the ‘human’ aspect of working in IT, he has toured Poland and spoken in the USA, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Greece, Belgium, Lithuania, and the UK. So, how did a young PhD student from Wrocław grappling with imposter syndrome become one of Poland’s most active speakers? Discover how Paweł overcame his challenges to show his commitment to sharing knowledge and fulfilling the Authority mission at Xebia.
I was a classic ‘computer guy’
In the 1990s, when internet access in Poland was still a luxury and computer games were just starting to gain popularity, Paweł spent long hours in front of his computer screen. Games such as StarCraft, Quake, and Diablo were his daily routine. His fascination with the fantasy world has stayed with him to this day, as seen in his speeches.
“I was a classic computer guy,” he recalls smilingly. “Instead of hanging around with my friends from primary school, I was meeting other geeks and gamers.” His passion for technology and programming led him to the Computer Games Studio next to Wrocław University of Technology, a place that has gained legendary status among local gaming and computer enthusiasts.
His interest in programming was not limited to games, though. He started writing his first programs on a Commodore 64 as early as primary school. This hobby was the first step to becoming a programmer, leading to studying computer science at the Wrocław University of Technology.
“I like programming because you can have a big impact with very little effort. You can create something that benefits a lot of people and all you have to do is sit at your computer and create something from start to finish. It’s like magic.”
Paweł’s CS program focused on building digital circuits, programming microcontrollers, computer architecture, and related fields. After graduating, his thirst for knowledge and continuous development pushed him to take on the challenge of acquiring a PhD. “I got into cryptography because it had such an aura of mystery – codes, ciphers, spies. In practice, it was hard number theory and algebra. I worked at the Wrocław University of Technology for a year and a half,” he recounts. His research focused on electronic voting and consistency in secure and distributed systems. At the same time, Paweł started working as a lecturer, teaching labs on concurrent programming. “It’s a funny experience to find yourself on the other side of the barricade. A year ago, you were standing in line at the dean’s office, and then you find yourself on the other side,” he recalls with a smile.
‘Sharing Knowledge is in my DNA’
Paweł’s foray into professional speaking began much earlier than his lecturer position, however. “At a graduation seminar, I started giving presentations about my thesis,” he says. His presentation skills quickly became his forte. “For example, I gave a presentation on prime numbers to the staff at the computer architecture department and lectures on quantum computers and factorization of large numbers.” These presentations marked his first serious opportunity to share knowledge and build authority.
“When I first started, I would break all the rules of presentations, like putting 20 lines of text on a slide, but I always enjoyed doing it,” he admits.
His love of public speaking and sharing knowledge wasn’t limited to the university space. When software development boomed in Poland and the world was discovering the potential of IT, Paweł decided to leave his university career to use his skills and passion as a software developer. After spending three months optimizing code performance in his first programming job, he was keen to share his insights and tips & tricks with his teammates.
“I liked sharing knowledge and having an impact. In the Gallup tests, it came out that I like to be in the public eye and matter.”
In August 2014, Paweł launched his blog, How to Train Your Java, where he shares his knowledge, design experiences, and articles used to create the speeches he is currently giving.
The First in Line to Speak
In 2016, Paweł joined PGS Software (now Xebia) and became known as an avid speaker and a man ready for new challenges. “I was a month into working and discovered that the company was organizing a Meetup called Software Talks. I applied straight away and suggested that I could prepare something,” he recalls. The presentation was about 16 principles of object-oriented programming, which brought him satisfaction and a large and engaged audience. Paweł immediately followed this up with subsequent appearances in Gdańsk and Rzeszów. He then began volunteering as a speaker, appearing at several conferences in Wroclaw and Krakow. Then, his burgeoning speaking career was interrupted by a pandemic.
“In speaking, I valued the direct contact with the other person. Webinars conducted during the pandemic did not give me that. I suspended my speaking activity for three years,” he remembers.
In the meantime, Paweł was pursuing other passions. He started powerlifting in Iron Dead League competitions, among other things, and measured himself with weights weighing 240 kg.
Confronting Imposter Syndrome
Paweł’s return to the conference stage was inspired by a topic that resonates deeply with many experienced programmers: impostor syndrome. Like countless others in the industry, he grappled with self-doubt and internal struggles. “I often thought that everyone else already knew what I did,” he confesses. His promotion to Principal Java Developer became a turning point. “When I was offered the role, I realized I needed to share my experiences as a speaker again. That’s when the idea for a presentation on impostor syndrome took shape,” he recalls.
Inspiration struck during an IT conference where Anita Przybył, a trainer and psychologist, delivered a presentation on the same topic. It was a watershed moment for Paweł, giving him the courage to speak out.
“I am a developer who experienced impostor syndrome. I faced moments of doubt, convinced that others would eventually realize I wasn’t good enough, that my successes were just flukes.”
“I wanted to share my journey with others, explaining the psychological mechanisms and cognitive biases at play, while offering practical tips on how to overcome impostor syndrome,” he recounts. Determined to conquer his growing fears, Paweł threw himself back into public speaking. “I sent my first call-to-papers to Test:Fest in Wroclaw and got in. I was very surprised, the room was full at my presentation. I got feedback from 50 people afterwards,” he recounts. Engaging with QA specialists—one of the most critical groups in IT—proved invaluable, helping him hone his skills as a speaker.
In 2023 alone, Paweł delivered 21 presentations, a number that only increased in the first half of 2024. Beyond impostor syndrome, he explored topics like generational differences in the IT industry and the impact of personality differences in software teams.
“I was promoted to a Development Manager. I went from writing code to the dark side of the force,” he laughs. “I became heavily engrossed in topics related to the general psychological comfort of working in IT and the skills that are useful as a leader. I wanted to be a leader who puts people first.”
Xebia provided the right environment for Paweł to grow, offering him opportunities to leverage his talents as a speaker, Java guild coordinator, Team Leader, and Development Manager. “In the company, I found the space to boldly go beyond writing code and explore new paths of development,” he says. “Despite the fact that being an active speaker requires a time commitment I feel that I am in a place that supports me in this.”
The Benefits of Knowledge Sharing
“The process of preparing for a speech is fascinating,” says Paweł. “You create an idea, polish the details, refine the narrative, until that magical moment comes when everything clicks together.”
Paweł dedicates significant time to crafting his presentations, meticulously attending to every detail, from storytelling to the graphics he creates using AI tools. His inspiration often comes from books that analyze exceptional speeches and teach effective presentation techniques, such as Nancy Duarte’s “Resonate” and “Slide.” He also frequently taps into his youthful passions, drawing from the gaming and fantasy worlds. This influence is evident in presentation titles like “Fighters, Bards, Druids, and Wizards in IT.”
Paweł is not only a presenter but also an advocate for encouraging others to share their knowledge. “At Xebia, we run mentoring programs to help people find topics and prepare for speeches. We support each other, which encourages others to take up the challenge. In 2023, more than 30 Xebians from Poland spoke at conferences,” he explains. “My method for preparing a presentation blends my own experience with hard theory, discussions with others, and material from talks on similar topics. Then I try to package this in a consistent narrative theme, such as fantasy game characters, a journey through unknown lands, or even being trapped in a haunted mansion,” he adds.
Always Moving Forward
To date, Paweł has delivered over 50 speeches worldwide, with many more on the horizon. This fall, he’s set to appear at PyCon Estonia in Tallinn, Dev: Challenge Accepted in Sofia, and JavaCro in Rovinj, among other events still in the works. For more information about his talks, you can visit his blog, How to Train Your Java. Paweł’s journey is a testament to the power of passion, determination, and the willingness to share knowledge. His story proves that facing your fears and sharing what you know can lead to exceptional achievements and inspire others to develop their talents.
Stay tuned for more inspired Xebian stories.