I worked for an ex-Dragons’ Den judge on an award-winning podcast: here’s how to avoid imposter syndrome and crush self-doubt

'Imposter syndrome' – feeling like you don't quite deserve the job you have – seems to have become LinkedIn's latest buzzword.

However, one man, who assumed he would get a dose of it when he left university to work for ex-Dragon's Den judge Steven Bartlett – and his famous interviewees – has revealed how he deviated from this.

Will Lindsay-Perez, in his early twenties and originally from Bristol, works as official videographer for Dragon Den alumni Steven Bartlett – and recently opened about what it's like to work for a famous celebrity when you're fresh out of college.

Speaking David McIntosh Jr's The Development by David podcastsTWill, who studied film and television at the University of Edinburgh before leaving the course, said that 'in 14 days (his) whole life was turned upside down' when he landed'the opportunity of a lifetime at Team DOAC (Diary of A CEO)'.

Bartlett had described the job as “the most important role he has ever been hired for.”

In the interviewfirst uploaded to YouTube, he emphasized that while he expected to get imposter syndrome from working with the millionaire, what he actually got was motivation, saying he soon discovered an immense desire to match Steven's work ethic.

So no pressure! Bartlett described the job as 'the most important role he has ever been accepted for'

Interview host David McIntosh Jr. asked, “You get the opportunity to meet all these celebrities because the person you're working with has done incredible work that makes them worth being in those rooms.”

He continued, “It would be easy for you to internalize some sort of narrative of 'I wish I was doing the things that would earn me to have the conversations' – as if you could be jealous of Steven.”

“Have you ever struggled with that struggle of wanting to be Steven or want to be in his shoes, or have you always been very comfortable?”

Will responded, “At first you think it's imposter syndrome, but then you realize it's not. I don't feel unimportant, I just feel impatient, like I really want to get there.

“I know I haven't done the work that Steven has done, it's very strange, but that doesn't make me any less worthy of being in the room because I still have work to do.”

Another thing Will pointed out was, “You develop an interesting relationship when you film public figures in sometimes private spaces.

'You have to blend into the background and that's one thing I try to do – it shouldn't feel like you're there, so a lot of times I don't even think about being in the room – I'm focused on what the conversation is what the story is.'

Those who watched the segment flocked to the comments to praise the recent graduate for his wise, nuanced approach.

LinkedIn users took to the professional networking platform to praise the aspiring videographer

YouTube interviewer David McIntosh Jr. asked Lindsay-Perez how he managed to avoid imposter syndrome with celebrities in the room

One said, “Great,” while the other told Will, “Well said.”

Host David even admitted, “I threw this weird question at you… and you UNO turned it around like a boss. INFLUENCE! This was one of my favorite episodes of 2023!'

And another impressed fan appreciated the 21-year-old's perspective. He instructed him, “Focus on yourself, hone your craft and play your role at the highest level possible.”

One woman said: 'This is a great way to look at it, knowing that you are part of a bigger team and everyone has a vital role to play in it.

“For a long time I felt like I didn't belong in my PhD program, but then I started to trust my knowledge and genius.”