For many professionals, discussing personal achievements can feel daunting. The fear of appearing overly self-promotional or “not good enough” often holds us back. During Northwest Accountancy’s recent retreat, our team had the opportunity to confront these issues with insights from Cat Matson’s “Speaking of Awesome.” Cat’s approach to “Authentic Confidence” helped us reshape how we view and share our achievements, fostering a team culture where every member feels valued and confident in their contributions.

Understanding “Authentic Confidence”

Cat Matson’s “Authentic Confidence” framework equipped our team with tools to express our strengths in meaningful ways. One of Cat’s central messages is that speaking with authority and authenticity is a vital professional skill. Her advice to communicate our value “in words that add value in a punchy way,” without coming across as overconfident or rehearsed, struck a chord with our team.
Through Cat’s approach, we learned that confidence isn’t about boasting, but about genuinely understanding and sharing our unique journeys and skills. This perspective enabled us to overcome the fear of “not being enough” and adopt a more holistic, empowering view of ourselves and our work.

The Collective Impact of Brag Bag Stories

During the retreat, each team member shared their Brag Bag Story—a personal account of their professional and personal achievements. Here’s how this exercise impacted our team:

• Building Trust: Sharing personal achievements established a foundation of trust within our team. When individuals open up about their journeys, it brings transparency, fostering a team environment where everyone feels seen and valued.

• Improved Communication: By discussing and celebrating each person’s “brag bag” moments, our team learned to communicate strengths in a balanced and impactful way. Cat’s advice to “put into words what I do + how I add value in a punchy way” provided a helpful guide for each team member as they shared their stories.

• Fostering a Growth Mindset: Cat’s insights encouraged us to overcome self-doubt and embrace a mindset of continual learning and growth. Each Brag Bag Story represented a step in that journey, reminding us that every achievement, big or small, contributes to our team’s success.

Bringing Cat’s Lessons Back to the Office

Since returning from the retreat, we’ve embedded “Authentic Confidence” into our daily culture. We regularly encourage each other to share accomplishments and remain mindful of how we communicate our value in client meetings and projects. Cat’s framework has helped us refine our messaging to clients, showing them not only what we can do, but why it matters to us.

Conclusion

Cat Matson’s “Speaking of Awesome” has made a lasting impact on our team. By embracing “Authentic Confidence” and celebrating our Brag Bag Stories, we’ve cultivated a supportive culture where everyone feels empowered to contribute. At Northwest Accountancy, confidence is not just about individual wins; it’s about creating a community of trust and collaboration.

Unlock New Levels of Financial Growth

Discover how “Authentic Confidence” can transform your team’s culture. We highly recommend following Cat Matson’s work and exploring your own Brag Bag Stories to foster connection and empowerment within your team.

Get in touch to arrange a conversation! Call 08 9185 9400 or email [email protected]. Together, we can put your business on a path to sustained profitability.