What if the only thing standing between you and the opportunity of a lifetime is the belief that you’re not ready?

In today’s episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with former CEO, executive coach, keynote speaker, and bestselling author Patty Azzarello, who became Hewlett-Packard’s youngest General Manager at 33, ran a billion-dollar software business at 35, and became a CEO by 38.

But behind the impressive titles was a woman battling self-doubt, imposter syndrome, workplace bullies, and the feeling that she didn’t belong in the room.

Patty shares the unfiltered lessons from her new book, Why Is She Still Here?, revealing how confidence is built after action, why most people disqualify themselves too early, and how kindness can become your greatest leadership advantage.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

✓ Why confidence is an outcome, not a prerequisite
✓ How to overcome imposter syndrome and self-doubt
✓ The surprising reason executives seem more confident than they are
✓ How women can navigate low expectations in leadership
✓ Patty’s strategy for dealing with workplace bullies
✓ Why being kind doesn’t make you weak
✓ How to protect your energy and avoid burnout
✓ The career advice that nearly changed everything for Patty
✓ How to stop disqualifying yourself from opportunities

About Patty Azzarello:

Patty Azzarello is a former Silicon Valley CEO, executive coach, speaker, and bestselling author. She became Hewlett-Packard’s youngest General Manager at age 33, led a billion-dollar software business by 35, and later served as CEO. Today, she helps leaders achieve greater impact without sacrificing themselves in the process.

Connect with Patty:
Website: pattyazzarello.com
LinkedIn: Patty Azzarello

⏱ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction
01:36 The 3 lessons everyone needs to hear
03:00 Imposter syndrome and why everyone is bluffing
07:08 Childhood bullying and overcoming insecurity
10:03 The executive meeting that changed Patty’s life
13:21 Why being “all business” can hurt your career
15:36 Confidence is an outcome, not a prerequisite
18:20 Women in leadership and low expectations
19:54 The “smart rats vs stupid rats” experiment
24:00 Mentorship and finding people who believe in you
26:01 How to survive rooms where you feel unwelcome
30:52 Why kindness is not weakness
31:14 Patty’s strategy for dealing with bullies
35:52 Work as an exchange of life force for money
37:12 Ruthless priorities and avoiding burnout
40:06 Recovery time and guilt-free rest
42:16 The opportunity Patty almost missed
45:58 Never disqualify yourself
46:45 The 3-part career growth framework
49:06 Patty’s definition of success
49:59 Books that changed her life
51:27 What Patty would tell her younger self
53:07 Final advice for building a successful career

If this episode helped you rethink confidence, leadership, or your career path, subscribe to The SMARTA Podcast and share this episode with someone who needs the reminder:

Scared does not mean disqualified.

What if the career you’re looking for isn’t a destination—but a passport?

Most people think hospitality is about hotels, luxury, and customer service.

But what if it’s actually one of the greatest leadership schools in the world?

In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with Peter Prinsloo, General Manager of The Heritage Resort Ireland, to explore what it really takes to lead people, build exceptional customer experiences, navigate uncertainty, and create a culture where both employees and guests thrive.

From growing up homeschooled in Zimbabwe and Mozambique to managing some of Ireland’s most respected luxury hotels, Peter’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, adaptability, and leadership.

If you’re interested in leadership, personal growth, customer experience, hospitality, business, or simply learning how world-class organizations create exceptional experiences, this conversation is for you.

• Why hospitality can open doors anywhere in the world
• What separates good service from exceptional service
• The leadership lesson that transformed Peter’s career
• Why personalization matters more than luxury
• The hidden realities behind running a luxury hotel
• How to build strong teams that genuinely care
• The future of wellness-focused hospitality
• Why your background does not determine your future
• How to make better decisions in life and business
• The surprising power of relationships and human connection

Peter Prinsloo is the General Manager of The Heritage Resort, one of Ireland’s leading luxury destinations.

His career has taken him from Zimbabwe and Mozambique to leadership roles across some of Ireland’s most respected hospitality brands, including Powerscourt Hotel Resort & Spa and The Doyle Collection.

Today, he leads one of Ireland’s premier resort destinations, overseeing luxury hospitality, wellness experiences, conferences, events, golf, spa operations, and guest experience.

LinkedIn: Peter Prinsloo
Website: The Heritage Resort Ireland

00:00 Introduction
00:35 Peter’s Top 3 Career Lessons
02:27 Hospitality, Travel & Human Connection
04:12 Growing Up in Zimbabwe & Mozambique
05:18 The Decision That Changed Everything
07:34 Adaptability & Solving Problems Under Pressure
10:09 What Happens Behind Luxury Hotels
12:40 Good Service vs Exceptional Service
16:37 The Power of Guest Experience
17:18 Leadership Lessons from Hospitality
19:52 What Modern Travelers Want Today
24:35 Why The Heritage Resort Is Unique
26:09 Wellness, Spa & The Future of Hospitality
28:31 Advice for Young People Entering Hospitality
31:30 Building Strong Teams
33:29 Funny Guest Requests & Hotel Stories
34:11 Books That Changed Peter’s Life
40:27 Advice to His 18-Year-Old Self
42:55 The Biggest Leadership Lesson Hospitality Teaches
45:19 Final Message for Young People
46:56 Closing Thoughts

If you enjoyed this conversation, share it with someone interested in leadership, hospitality, business, travel, or customer experience.

Subscribe to The SMARTA Podcast for weekly conversations with world-class leaders, bestselling authors, entrepreneurs, and experts.

And remember:

The future doesn’t belong to people with perfect plans. It belongs to people willing to open doors, serve others, and keep saying yes to opportunities.

Most people think communication is about sounding smart.

But what if the real secret is learning how to make people feel heard?

In today’s episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with Deborah Riegel, executive coach, leadership communication expert, keynote speaker, and author for a powerful conversation about confidence, difficult conversations, emotional intelligence, and the communication skills nobody teaches you in school.

This episode is packed with practical advice that can completely transform the way you lead, connect, and communicate.

We talk about why people struggle with feedback, how to become a better listener, why curiosity changes conversations, and the small communication habits that can strengthen relationships both personally and professionally.

If you’ve ever overthought a difficult conversation, struggled to express yourself clearly, or wanted to communicate with more confidence and authenticity this episode is for you.

Because great communication isn’t about perfection.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why communication starts with listening, not speaking

• How curiosity can transform difficult conversations

• The biggest mistakes people make when giving feedback

• Why emotional intelligence matters more than ever

• How to communicate with more confidence and clarity

• The difference between reacting and responding

• Practical tools for stronger relationships and leadership

Who Is Deborah Riegel?

Deborah Riegel is a leadership communication expert, keynote speaker, executive coach, and educator who helps individuals and organisations improve how they communicate, lead, and connect with others.

She is known for her work on feedback, communication strategy, emotional intelligence, and leadership development.

You can find Deb through her books, speaking engagements, workshops, LinkedIn, and professional coaching platforms.

In this episode:

00:00 – Welcome

02:12 – Why Communication Is More Than Words

05:30 – The Biggest Communication Mistakes People Make

09:18 – Listening vs Waiting to Speak

13:42 – How Curiosity Changes Conversations

17:50 – Why Feedback Feels So Personal

22:14 – Difficult Conversations at Work & In Life

27:08 – Emotional Intelligence & Leadership

31:45 – Confidence in Communication

36:20 – Responding Instead of Reacting

40:06 – The Power of Empathy

44:18 – Advice for Young Professionals

47:42 – Deb’s Definition of Success

50:00 – Final Thoughts & Takeaways

If this episode made you think differently about communication, leadership, or relationships, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Subscribe to The SMARTA Podcast for conversations with world-class experts, authors, and leaders.

And next time you walk into a conversation:

Listen fully.

Lead with curiosity.

And remember, people may forget your words, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel.