027 Data Protection, Imposter Syndrome, and Human-Centered Leadership with Kiki Patel

Send us Fan MailIn this engaging conversation, Kiki Patel, co-founder and lead DPO at Ontago, shares her journey into the world of data protection, discussing the challenges and rewards of running a startup. She delves into the pervasive issue of imposter syndrome, emphasizing the importance of community and continuous learning in overcoming self-doubt. Kiki also highlights the need for a human-centered approach in data protection, advocating for simplicity and trust in client relationships. Furthermore, she offers valuable insights on leadership, the significance of soft skills, and the common misconceptions startups have about data protection. The discussion wraps up with Kiki reflecting on her experiences and the lessons learned throughout her career.Key Takeaways:Kiki Patel is the co-founder and lead DPO at Ontago.Imposter syndrome affects everyone, regardless of profession.Continuous learning is crucial in the field of data protection.Building trust with clients is essential for business growth.Simplicity in communication is key to effective data protection.Leadership is about showing up and making decisions.Soft skills are vital for data protection professionals.Startups often have misconceptions about data protection requirements.Building privacy habits early can prevent future chaos.Confidence comes from trusting your ability to find answers.Sound Bites:"Don't wait to feel ready to lead.""Soft skills are really important as a DPO.""I'll send you some in the post."Keywords: data protection, startups, imposter syndrome, leadership, trust, human approach, professional development, privacy, soft skills, entrepreneurship🌱 Ready to take this further? If something landed for you in this episode… don’t just leave it here. You don’t need to figure it all out on your own — I’ve created a few simple ways to help you take your next step, at your pace. 🟢 — Start where you are If you’re not quite sure how you’re showing up right now, start here: 👉 Thinking with Jaki Scorecard — your Influence Action Plan Use this to get clarity on how you currently show up, where you might be getting stuck, and what your next influence move is. Thinking with Jaki 🟡 Build clarity and direction Once you’ve got that awareness, let’s build a clearer picture of where you are overall: 👉 Leadership Through Data EMPOWER Scorecard This will show you where you sit across the EMPOWER framework — your strengths, your gaps, and what to focus on next so you can move forward with confidence. The Leadership Through Data EMPOWER Scorecard 🔵 Grow with me If you’re ready to go deeper and build real momentum: 👉 Join the free EMPOWER Masterclass | Leadership Through Data I’ll walk you through the full roadmap and help you see exactly how to step into your influence and leadership — in a way that feels like you.  The EMPOWER Masterclass | Leadership Through Data   🚀 Want to keep building? If you’re ready to take action beyond this episode, here are a couple of ways we can work together: 👉 Book Jaki to speak at your next event Bring these conversations into your organisation or community with practical, real-world learning. Public Speaker, Write & Podcaster - Jacqueline Stockwell 👉 Join the 21-Day EMPOWER Sprint Build momentum, take action daily, and stop overthinking your next move. https://leadershipthroughdata.com/empower-21/  💬 Final thought You don’t need to do everything at once. Just take one next step. And if this episode helped you, I’d love you to share it with someone who needs to hear it too 💛Support the show