Creating Confidence with Heather Monahan Episode: Confidence Classic: Find Your Superpower and Lead With It with Tiffani Bova
Release Date: July 29, 2025

Introduction

In this empowering episode of Creating Confidence with Heather Monahan, Heather welcomes Tiffani Bova, the Chief Growth Evangelist at Salesforce and author of the Wall Street Journal bestselling book, Growth IQ: Get Smarter About the Choices That Will Make or Break Your Business. With over 500 keynote presentations delivered across six continents, Tiffani brings a wealth of experience in sales transformation and business model innovation. The conversation delves deep into discovering personal superpowers, embracing failure, and leading with authenticity in today’s dynamic business landscape.

Discovering and Embracing Your Superpower

Tiffani Bova emphasizes the importance of identifying one's strengths and acknowledging non-strengths. She advises, "[...] find out what your non strengths are, surround yourself with people who can help fill in those gaps and then find a way to double down on what you're really good at." ([00:57])

Tiffani shares her personal journey of transitioning from sales leadership to becoming an analyst and consultant. Initially feeling inadequate in her new role, feedback from others helped her recognize her true strengths—storytelling, data analysis, and market trend identification. This realization allowed her to focus on areas where she excelled and where her clients found value.

The Work Behind Success

Heather relates to Tiffani's insights, drawing parallels between entrepreneurship and the ongoing "work" required to evolve and adapt. Tiffani expands on this by likening professional growth to physical fitness: "It's about getting a little uncomfortable every single day because sitting in comfort means you're not sort of challenging yourself to do other things." ([07:58])

She underscores the significance of continuous learning, resilience, and surrounding oneself with a supportive team. Tiffani advises entrepreneurs to:

1. Fall in Love with Failure: Embrace setbacks as learning opportunities.
2. Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable: Push beyond comfort zones to foster growth.
3. Identify Non-Strengths: Recognize areas for improvement and seek support.
4. Double Down on Strengths: Focus on and enhance areas where you naturally excel.

Navigating the Post-Pandemic Business Landscape

Tiffani discusses the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on businesses, particularly highlighting the lack of prior investment in technology as a critical vulnerability exposed by the sudden shift to remote operations. She states, "The buying and Selling engine is now all digital [...] customers expectations have changed. We now are these super consumers that live in our [homes], shop, and educate and do healthcare in our homes." ([10:33])

Key takeaways for businesses aiming to regain footing and foster growth include:

• Digital Transformation: Invest in e-commerce platforms and cloud-based tools to facilitate remote work and customer engagement.
• Understanding Evolving Customer Needs: Adapt to the new behaviors and expectations formed during the pandemic.
• Resilience and Adaptability: Learn from challenges to build stronger, more flexible business models.

Encouraging Employees to Return to the Office

Addressing the contemporary challenge of bringing employees back to the workplace, Tiffani offers nuanced insights. She acknowledges the absence of a one-size-fits-all solution, noting the diversity in regional responses and individual preferences. "[...] employee safety, health, and well-being is number one. Clearly communicate what that looks like and what it doesn't look like." ([13:24])

She highlights several considerations for business owners:

• Flexible Work Models: Accommodate various preferences, whether full-time remote, hybrid, or in-office arrangements.
• Geographical Shifts: Address logistical issues as employees relocate, affecting commuting and payroll.
• Open Communication: Engage with employees to understand their needs and preferences, fostering a collaborative approach to workplace policies.

Tiffani shares Salesforce's phased approach to returning to the office, starting with a volunteer group to test new protocols before broader implementation.

Adapting the Speaking Business in a Hybrid World

Tiffani recounts her experience transitioning from in-person to virtual keynotes due to the pandemic. Initially challenging, this shift ultimately expanded her reach. "We had 7,500 invited, but 80,000 watched virtually," she shares. ([16:52])

She foresees a hybrid future for speaking engagements, combining the intimacy of in-person events with the expansive reach of virtual platforms. Benefits include:

• Increased Accessibility: Virtual events allow participation from a global audience without geographical constraints.
• Enhanced Engagement: Incorporating interactive elements like live Q&As and multimedia can enrich the audience experience.
• Flexibility for Speakers: Ability to deliver multiple presentations across different regions simultaneously.

Mastering the Art of Speaking

When discussing public speaking, Tiffani emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement and authenticity. Reflecting on her early challenges, she states, "I was mortified. But what I did was I started asking everybody for a video copy of my presentation..." ([23:10])

Her strategies for becoming an effective speaker include:

1. Self-Review: Analyzing recordings of one's presentations to identify areas for improvement.
2. Learning from Masters: Studying accomplished speakers like Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey to emulate effective techniques.
3. Balancing Visual and Auditory Elements: Utilizing slides or visuals to complement spoken content without overshadowing the message.
4. Practice Beyond Comfort Zones: Engaging in various speaking opportunities, regardless of the audience size, to hone skills.

Tiffani advises aspiring speakers to "just speak" in any available venue, gaining experience and confidence through practice.

Choosing Authentic Content for Presentations

Heather inquires about selecting content that resonates personally and authentically. Tiffani responds by stressing the importance of aligning topics with one's genuine experiences and passions. "If someone said to me, like, I want you to go give a keynote like that, I'd be like, okay, first of all, it's not authentic to my story because it's not my story." ([28:18])

Key points include:

• Authenticity: Ensure that the content reflects personal experiences and true passions to connect deeply with the audience.
• Audience Feedback: Pay attention to what resonates with listeners and build upon those areas.
• Adaptability: Be open to evolving one's narrative based on audience interests and feedback, as Tiffani did with her presentation on building confidence.

Engaging Audiences on Zoom and In-Person

Tiffani shares her perspectives on maintaining audience engagement in virtual settings. She believes in leveraging multiple mediums to cater to different learning styles. "You're not totally dialed in for 40 minutes [...] your mind might wander away from the voice and then plug back in." ([31:14])

Her recommendations for virtual presentations include:

• Incorporate Visuals: Use slides or images to anchor the audience's attention and provide visual cues.
• Mix Media: Alternate between speaking, displaying slides, and integrating videos or sound bites to maintain interest.
• Interactive Elements: Include Q&A sessions or live polls to foster engagement.
• Conciseness: Keep presentations focused and concise, similar to the format of TED Talks, to maintain attention.

Heather echoes Tiffani's advice, sharing her own experiences of integrating multimedia elements to enhance audience engagement during live events.

Connecting and Continuing the Journey

As the conversation wraps up, Tiffani directs listeners to her podcast, What's Next with Tiffani Bova, and her book, Growth IQ, which is available in nine languages. She encourages ongoing learning and adaptation, emphasizing that success is a collaborative journey. Heather expresses enthusiasm for future collaborations and the potential to meet Tiffani in person.

Conclusion

This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of personal and professional growth, emphasizing the discovery of one's superpowers, the importance of resilience, and the adaptability required in a post-pandemic world. Tiffani Bova's insights provide valuable guidance for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and individuals seeking to lead with confidence and authenticity.

Notable Quotes:

• "Find out what your non strengths are, surround yourself with people who can help fill in those gaps and then find a way to double down on what you're really good at." — Tiffani Bova ([00:57])

• "It's about getting a little uncomfortable every single day because sitting in comfort means you're not sort of challenging yourself to do other things." — Tiffani Bova ([07:58])

• "If someone said to me, like, I want you to go give a keynote like that, I'd be like, okay, first of all, it's not authentic to my story because it's not my story." — Tiffani Bova ([28:18])

Connect with Tiffani Bova:

• Podcast: What's Next with Tiffani Bova (Link to be added)
• Book: Growth IQ: Get Smarter About the Choices That Will Make or Break Your Business (Available in nine languages)
• Social Media: LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram (Links to be added)

Join Heather Monahan each week as she dives into strategies and insights to help you build confidence, pursue your dreams, and overcome challenges on your path to greatness.