Welcome to episode 60 of my podcast, The Executive Edge. This week’s guest is Elizabeth Bachman.

Elizabeth is a trained opera director and worked with many great singers, including Luciano Pavarotti and Placido Domingo. I asked her about how her background had helped her in business. She felt that singers were entrepreneurs and just like anyone else in business, they needed to have a ‘vision’ of where they wanted to go and what this looked like. Her job was then to help get as close to their goal and vision as she could. She did this by directing them in order to maximise their chances of success

During her time in Opera, Elizabeth saw many successes and mistakes. She has taken that skill and experience and applied it to business, specifically to help women achieve greater success. It isn’t exclusively for women as standing up for what you value and self-promotion, are skills everyone would do well to master.

What does she recommend?

Amongst the tips we discussed, Elizabeth felt it was important to learn how to talk about yourself positively. At times, this might involve appreciating what you’re getting right to the point of recognising that if it’s not a problem, then you’re doing well! Situations that run smoothly rarely get attention, yet they might be doing so precisely because of your skill

She also felt it was a great idea to look for an advocate, a partner if you will. Someone who helps you and not only offers advice but actually speaks for you at times. This might be someone who endorses your work publicly, or who spots when you’ve said something of importance but no-one else noticed. They may repeat what you’ve said giving you credit or ask you to repeat it so that you can express it louder. Maybe even project your confidence better.

Advocates are also people who may problem solve situations ahead of events or advise you after a situation so that you can filter it through an objective observer. So often our own assessment of a situation can be negative or personal, under-valuing the situation and our contribution. In many ways this is the type of coaching Elizabeth and I do, so if you can’t find an advocate, consider coaching. It can be really valuable.

From these seeds, confidence can grow.