Episode 126 – Confidence Wins. Ego Kills. With Chris Stasiuk

The Impactful Engineer Project - Mentorship, Career Growth, and Personal & Professional Excellence for Aspiring Engineers

Ego can make you feel powerful—but it’s killing your impact. In this episode, Jake and Steve sit down with Chris Stasiuk, a former electrical engineer turned leadership coach, to unpack the real difference between confidence and ego. This is not theory—it’s practical, tactical advice for engineers who want to influence others, communicate clearly, and become the kind of leader people actually want to follow.

Key Topics Covered

• The critical difference between confidence and ego—and how to use one without falling into the other.
• The story of an engineer whose explosive meetings turned into team-building moments through self-awareness and feedback.
• How blind spots sabotage even the smartest engineers.
• The communication trap that keeps great ideas stuck in cubicles.
• Why perception—not intention—defines your leadership effectiveness.
• The surprising power of curiosity and humility in technical environments.
• Using feedback and coaching to uncover your behavioral blind spots.
• Emotional regulation under pressure—and why “walking away” is a strength, not a weakness.
• How ego erodes team trust, buy-in, and creativity.
• Tactical frameworks to transform how you listen, lead, and earn influence.

Actionable Steps

• Ask a trusted peer for feedback on how you communicate—then listen without defending yourself.
• Before your next meeting, decide which “version” of yourself needs to show up: the confident leader or the curious learner.
• Replace “Why are you doing it that way?” with “Can you walk me through your process?”
• When you feel triggered, have a pre-set script—step back, breathe, and revisit when emotions cool.
• Read Surrounded by Idiots or take a DISC/CliftonStrengths assessment to identify your communication style.
• Treat communication like a design problem: analyze inputs, feedback loops, and outcomes.
• Practice humility daily—assume the other person knows something you don’t.
• Use curiosity to build “social capital” before you need to draw on it.
• Lead meetings with questions that invite ownership, not compliance.
• Hire or partner with someone who complements your blind spots instead of mirroring them.

Who This Episode Is For

• Engineers who think “technical skill should speak for itself.”
• Managers struggling with team friction or low engagement.
• Early-career engineers frustrated they’re being overlooked.
• High performers tired of being misunderstood or “hard to work with.”
• Anyone ready to trade arrogance for real influence.

Why It Matters

Technical excellence might get you noticed—but communication, humility, and emotional control make you unforgettable. Confidence earns trust. Ego destroys it. The engineers who learn to balance both are the ones who lead teams, inspire change, and build careers that last.

Connect with Chris Stasiuk

Visit chrisstasiuk.com to learn more about his one-on-one coaching, group workshops, and leadership resources.

You can also connect with Chris on LinkedIn for insights on engineering leadership, communication, and career growth.

Where to Listen

Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Or wherever you get your podcasts.

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