How to Stop Self-Sabotaging Your Career with Patty Azzarello

What if the biggest obstacle to your career isn’t your boss, your organisation or the opportunities around you… What if it’s you?

In this inspiring conversation, Zoran Todorovic speaks with Patty Azzarello—former Silicon Valley CEO, leadership advisor and bestselling author—about why so many talented people unknowingly sabotage their own success long before anyone else has the chance.

Patty shares the remarkable story of almost talking herself out of the biggest promotion of her career, despite being one of the strongest candidates. She reveals how mentors changed the course of her life, why confidence is something you build rather than wait for, and why embarrassment and failure became some of her greatest teachers.

Together, they explore self-disqualification, imposter syndrome, executive presence, authentic leadership, women in leadership, resilience and why your inner critic should never be allowed to drive your career. If you’ve ever doubted yourself, delayed taking the next step, or felt you weren’t ready, this episode will completely change the way you think about confidence, ambition and personal growth.
Topics Explored:

• Why we sabotage our own careers without realising it
• What self-disqualification really is
• Why confidence follows action—not the other way around
• The difference between confidence and competence
• How to stop waiting until you feel “ready”
• Understanding and managing your inner critic
• Why imposter syndrome can actually be a sign of growth
• Learning from failure instead of fearing it
• Patty’s journey to leading a billion-dollar business
• The power of mentors and sponsors
• Women in leadership and overcoming invisible barriers
• Building authentic executive presence
• Coaching and overcoming limiting beliefs
• Leadership lessons from Silicon Valley
• Practical advice for anyone navigating self-doubt

Patty Azzarello is a business leadership advisor, keynote speaker, bestselling author and former Silicon Valley CEO.
She became Hewlett-Packard’s youngest General Manager at the age of 33, went on to lead a $1 billion software business at just 35, and became a CEO at 38.

• Today she advises CEOs and executive leadership teams around the world, helping organisations strengthen leadership capability, accelerate business performance and build high-performing workplace cultures. Patty is the bestselling author and her latest book Why Is SHE Still Here?, which explores ambition, self-doubt, leadership and the hidden ways people disqualify themselves from success.
  Key Takeaways:
• Never disqualify yourself before someone else does.
• Confidence is built through action.
• Feeling scared doesn’t mean you’re not ready.
• Failure is one of the greatest teachers of leadership.
• Your inner critic doesn’t have to control your decisions.
• Great leaders focus on their strengths rather than their weaknesses.
• Mentors often see our potential before we do.
• Authenticity creates stronger leadership than perfection.
• Courage is choosing to keep showing up.

Memorable Quotes

• “Never disqualify yourself.”
• “Confidence follows action.”
• “Being scared does not disqualify you.”
• “Failure is one of the best teachers.”
• “Your inner critic can come along for the ride—but it doesn’t get to drive.”
• “Courage is simply deciding to come back tomorrow.”

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