Silencing Your Inner Critic & Coaching Up with Tony Bagnato

Hey there!

Welcome back to another edition of Surviving Office Life. This week on my podcast, I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Tony Bagnato , an executive coach who brings a wealth of knowledge from his years in the C-suite. If you're aiming for an executive role or simply want to boost your career, this one is for you!

Silencing the Inner Critic

We all have that nagging inner voice that tells us we're not good enough. Tony prefers not to call it "impostor syndrome" because it sounds like an incurable disease. Instead, he breaks it down to self-doubt, fear of failure, and worrying about others' opinions. If you can identify which of these drives your inner critic, you can start addressing it. Tony shared a story about a client who was killing it at work...but downplayed his achievements. By focusing on his accomplishments and learning from them, he turned self-doubt into confidence. I resonated a lot with the stories Tony told on the podcast. In fact, I feel like my confidence only really blossomed in the last few years. It's taken me a lot to silence my inner critic. But trust me...if I can do it, you can too.

Your Personal Value Proposition

It's essential to communicate your value with impact, especially when speaking to leadership. Tony emphasizes having your success stories ready—much like preparing for a STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) interview. Or better yet, try using the CARL (Context, Action, Result, Learning) method to show your introspection and growth. Remember, it's not bragging if it's true! Be prepared to share your successes confidently, but also highlight your team's achievements. This is my absolute favorite type of leader/manager. Those who raise their employees up. I bet we've all had the opposite type, the guy/gal who flaunts their team's accomplishments like they're their own. It doesn't feel good. In fact, it makes a lot of people want to leave.

What Executives Say When You're Not in the Room

Ever wondered what executives talk about when you're not around? Tony explained that they focus on results and leave egos at the door. Presenting to executives is different from presenting to your team. It's crucial to provide your deck in advance, have an executive summary, and define what success looks like for your meeting. Use the time to answer questions and be ready for challenges. Remember, a well-prepared presentation respects everyone's time and shows your strategic mindset. This idea really hit home for me beacuse I've been in meetings where the host looked like they'd just rolled out of bed. Alternatively, the meetings where everyone is prepped and ALREADY on the same page...now those are where we get. stuff. done!

Coaching Up: Influence Without Authority

One of the key skills Tony highlights is "coaching up," which involves making sure your manager is aware of your team's accomplishments, ongoing work, and any support needed. Tony recommends sending a weekly summary with three sections:

1. What we did (key successes),
2. What we're working on (including any support needed),
3. Reward and recognition (highlighting team members).

This practice not only keeps your manager informed but also helps you avoid blindsiding them with surprises. Think about it: you want your manager to know what you're doing and what your team is accomplishing. People aren't mind readers. And you definitely don't want someone to ask your manager what your team does and have them not be able to answer confidently. Try this weekly summary tactic, and let me know when you get that promotion!

Take a Seat at the Table

Whether you're a director or aiming for the C-suite, confidence is key. Tony shared a tip from his experience: when you walk into a boardroom, take a seat at the table, LITERALLY. Position yourself strategically near the most influential person in the room. This move shows confidence and ensures you can communicate directly with key decision-makers.

Actionable Takeaways and Homework for You:

• Identify your inner critic: Break down the voices into self-doubt, fear of failure, or worrying about others' opinions and tackle them individually. When you hear those voices in your head, try labeling them. Say, "Oh, there's my inner critic again."
• Communicate your value: Prepare your success stories using the CARL method and share them confidently.
• Prepare for executive presentations: Provide materials in advance, define success, and be ready for questions and challenges. This shows people you respect their time and input.
• Send weekly summaries: Keep your manager informed with updates on successes, ongoing work, and team recognition. Try sending them a weekly summary report. After 1 or 2 weeks, ask for their feedback. If they like it, keep sending it. If they don't, that's ok too!
• Show confidence: Take a physical AND metaphorical seat at the table and position yourself strategically.

I hope you find these insights as valuable as I did. Implement these strategies, and you'll be well on your way to climbing the corporate ladder with confidence!

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