Imposter no more: Kenneth Proven's journey to owning his role

This is the story of Kenneth Proven, Behavior UX designer and Ariad consultant who went from questioning his place in the industry to leading major projects with confidence. 

It’s a personal reflection on growth, imposter syndrome, and the power of support, including from Ariad, whose guidance helped turn uncertainty into clarity. Sometimes, all it takes is the right conversation at the right time. Read more about Kenneth’s story below: 

“If anyone had told me a year ago that I’d be leading projects at an insurtech giant, I would have called them crazy. The UX market right now is - let’s be honest - quite turbulent. I believed that with my skills, I could only function within a niche, within creative teams at maybe a few companies. The road to where I am now has been bumpy.

 I still need to put in maximum effort to convince myself that I truly belong here. 

When I first jumped into the industry years ago, I was a blue-eyed optimist and a fierce defender of the user. Over time, those rose-tinted glasses came off, and I began to realize the tightrope a UX expert must walk - balancing the desires of the user with the expectations of clients, companies, and business as a whole. Of course, I had a lot to learn. And the more people I met, the more I started to compare myself to them. Oh, the irony… comparison really is the thief of joy. 

What do I mean by that? Well, the more I looked at what others could do, the more I tried to mirror their abilities. 

But I couldn’t. UX is a deeply creative field, and no two processes look the same. Sure, there are core principles to follow, but the way we approach challenges is constantly evolving. And me? I was under the impression that my way of working was inferior to that of my peers. I hadn’t yet carved out my unique approach because I believed I needed to follow others’ footsteps.

So, why this whole introduction?

Because I arrived at a point where I couldn’t just follow others anymore. Suddenly, everyone was looking to me for expertise. Initially, this was unsettling. I was still in that phase where I thought mimicking others was the best way to learn. What I didn’t realize then was that years of observing experts at work - through completed projects, both successful and unsuccessful, stakeholder meetings, job interviews, UX meetups, YouTube videos, and books - had unconsciously honed my skills.

Some time ago, I was surprised by what was expected of me. I heard I would be leading a major project at AXA Insurances. When I say “leading,” I mean I would be the main point of contact, responsible for approach, workshops, research, and timelines - all in collaboration with a core team. I was taken aback. Especially because I then received the feedback I hadn’t yet fully met these expectations. Alarm bells went off. “What can I do to tackle this head-on?” was my first reaction. It wasn’t panic; it was realization. 

This was the moment. The moment that my ambition had prepared me for. I couldn’t keep following others - I needed to carve out my own path.

I didn’t reach this conclusion alone. I turned to Ariad with my concerns, explaining that I was in uncharted territory. Ariad responded immediately - because that’s what they do. Within days, I was having an eye-opening conversation with an experienced project manager and UX expert in fintech. That chat, lasting over an hour, was one of the most down-to-earth and transformative discussions I’ve ever had.

It may sound simple, but it was one sentence that changed everything: 

“Don’t look at this challenge from the perspective of you as a project manager, but as a designer.”For many, this might be obvious. For me, it was exactly what I needed to hear.

Now I understand how to muster the resolve to face this challenge - striving for excellence, not just for AXA, but primarily for myself. To prove I’m not an imposter. To show teams they can count on me for expert insights and support. To bring clarity amidst chaos. Not as a project manager or by mimicking others’ leadership styles, but by applying my own creativity to the process.

I’ve transformed negative feelings into a cohesive, motivated team that’s building strong foundations to navigate the chaos of a massive project. And honestly, I’m proud of that. Many challenges lie ahead, but I’m confident I’ll know how to handle them.

If you’re ready to challenge your limits and discover what you’re truly capable of, Ariad is the place to start.

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