Podcasts about confidence cultivator

In this episode, we're cutting through the noise to reveal the counterintuitive truth about building a magnetic personal brand: You don't need to do more. You need to be known for ONE thing.Forget the polished perfection you see online. Discover why messy beats perfect, why people buy you before they ever buy what you're selling, and how showing up authentically (flaws and all) creates the kind of trust that turns followers into clients.You'll learn:The single question that clarifies your entire brand identityWhy vulnerability is your secret weapon for connectionHow to give generously without giving yourself awayThe 15-minute daily habit that multiplies your visibilityWhy consistency matters more than virality (and how to make it easy)If you're tired of shouting into the void and ready to build a brand people actually remember, this episode is your blueprint. Press play and discover what happens when you stop performing and start connecting. Some resources for you:Project more confidence and credibility with my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: Words to Avoid | Karen LaosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.com/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

Here are 6 tips you'll learn:Start with why it matters.Don't just explain what something is — connect it to why it matters to your audience. Influence begins with meaning.Lead with stories, not stats.Facts tell, but stories sell. You'll discover how to use stories that make your message memorable and magnetic.No more data dumping.Too much information overwhelms and disconnects your audience. I'll show you how to simplify your message so it's clear, compelling, and easy to act on.Speak to emotion before logic.Emotion drives action. Learn how to tap into what people feel before you show them the data.Invite participation.Influence isn't one-way. I'll share how asking the right questions draws people in and helps them take ownership.End with a clear next step.Information informs. Influence inspires action. You'll walk away knowing how to guide your audience toward what's next. ✨ Tune in to learn how to shift from sharing facts to sparking change — and make every message count. Some resources for you:Project more confidence and credibility with my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: Words to Avoid | Karen LaosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.com/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

Welcome Questions – Treat them as a sign of engagement, not challenge. Smile, thank the person, and show openness. Pause Before Responding – Take a beat to think. It signals confidence and helps you avoid rambling. Clarify if Needed – If a question is unclear, repeat or reframe it: “So you're asking about…” Be Concise and Focused – Give clear, to-the-point answers—don't drift into a second presentation. Bridge Back to Your Key Message – Even if the question is off-track, connect your response to your main theme. Handle Tough Questions Calmly – If you don't know, be honest: “That's a great question—I'll follow up.” Engage the Whole Room – Repeat the question (briefly) so everyone hears, then answer to the audience, not just the asker. Set Boundaries – If time is short, let people know you'll follow up offline for longer discussions.End with a Strong Close after Q&A is over so you wrap it all up in a bow instead of it trailing off, plus you want to remind people what you talked about so it ends with YOUR strong point, not the energy from the last question asked. Some resources for you:Project more confidence and credibility with my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.com/words-to-avoid/My book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.com/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

Have you ever wondered if you're charging enough for your consulting or coaching? I know I sure have. Maybe you're stuck pricing by the hour, or maybe you discount to win the work. If that sounds like you, you're in luck, because in this episode we're getting into how to confidently ask for your worth and get paid for it. We're wrapping up the series on the journey from service provider to strategic partner with a conversation about pricing - figuring out the right price, being confident in it and then asking for it. This is a topic that is near and dear to my heart because it's the full expression of my brand and show promise about owning the power of what you do. But the reality is for most of us, when it comes to being asked what you charge or choosing a price for your offers, it's a moment of dread and fear, instead of confidence. But it doesn't have to be. Today, my guest is Karen Laos who is a communication expert and confidence cultivator and popular speaker about pricing with confidence. She is going to show you how to ask clients to work with you without hesitation and charge fees that reflect your worth without apology. When you tune in you'll discover: Why pricing stirs up so much fear for consultants and coaches How to know if it's mindset or value clarity holding back your pricing Why undercharging crushes your confidence (and shortchanges your clients) How to shift from charging for time to charging for value What to say when a client pushes back with “Your fees are too high” This conversation will be your boost of positive energy and give you the courage to price confidently, know your value, and prove ROI. Discover why the first sale is always to yourself, and when you can clearly connect your work to the outcomes clients achieve, you'll never second-guess your worth again. Next Steps: Reflect on this: Where are you undervaluing yourself? Are you clearly communicating the transformation you deliver? Does your pricing reflect fear—or the true value you bring? If you're ready to move from transactional service provider to transformational partner, the Impact and Income Accelerator is where we make it happen. This 8-week group coaching program will help you nail your value, position yourself strategically, and 10x your fees and impact, starting with your very next client. We kick off October 14, and spots are almost gone. Book a call with me today to see if it's the right fit: www.betsyjordyn.com/accelerator . Other episodes you may enjoy: How to Use a Discovery Meeting to Multiply Revenue and Impact (Ep132) Quantify the Value of Your Consulting or Coaching with Jack Phillips (Ep131) Why Listening Pays with Rick Bommelje (Ep130) How to Land Strategic Client Engagements without Pushy Sales (EP129) About the guest: Karen Laos is a Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator helping women overcome self-doubt and ask for what they want. With 25 years as a C-Suite advisor and speaker for Google, Starbucks, and NASA, she shares proven strategies that lead to more clients, promotions, and negotiation wins. She is the author of Trust Your Own Voice and host of the Ignite Your Confidence podcast. About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling. Ready to turn your expertise into a business that makes both impact and income? Work with me: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services

Here are some strategies you can use:Listen First, Understand the “No”Show genuine curiosity about their perspective. Ask questions, listen without interrupting, and validate their concerns to build trust. Reframe as CollaborationShift the conversation from your request to a shared solution. Position it as: “How can we make this work together?” instead of “Why won't you do this?” Offer Flexible Paths ForwardInstead of pushing for one outcome, propose options or smaller steps. This shows respect for their needs while keeping the door open to agreement. 

Newsflash - we are all difficult at times!Be mindful of the four types (the controller, the people pleasers, the pessimists, and the victims). Do you identify as one of these?Know your triggers (most difficult people trigger us because of a past situation, not the current one - be aware of what and who triggers you).Respond vs. react - learn the mantra of a client of mine who needed help responding instead of reacting with her team. Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.com/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

In this episode, Karen shares 5 simple phrase swaps that:✅ Remove hesitation from your speech✅ Boost your executive presence✅ Build instant credibility with your audienceThese are quick, actionable, and perfect for meetings, presentations, or interviews.Some resources for you:Project more confidence and credibility with my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.com/words-to-avoid/My book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.com/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

If you want more opportunity, but you think it's going to find you, think again! You have to recognize that doors you think might be locked, are not locked - they just need to be opened.Here are 5 tips:Your mindset - you have to believe that anything is possible Paint the vision for othersShare the benefits to your audience - how will this help them?Position yourself as the expertPractice in lower stakes situations to build your confidenceSome resources for you:Project more confidence and credibility with my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.com/words-to-avoid/My book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.com/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

Here are 6 tips:Recognize the thoughts and feelings as separate from facts. When you catch yourself thinking "I don't belong here" or "I'm going to be found out," pause and remind yourself that these are anxious thoughts, not objective truths. Just because you feel like a fraud doesn't mean you actually are one.Keep a record of your accomplishments. Write down positive feedback, successful projects, and skills you've developed. When imposter syndrome hits, review this evidence of your competence. It's hard to argue with concrete examples of your contributions and growth.Reframe "failure" as learning. Imposters fear being exposed through mistakes, but everyone makes them. Instead of seeing errors as proof you don't belong, view them as normal parts of growth. The most successful people fail regularly—they just learn from it and keep going.Talk to others about it. You'll often discover that people you admire have felt exactly the same way. Sharing these feelings reduces their power and helps you realize how common they are, especially among high achievers who set demanding standards for themselves.Focus on contribution over perfection. Instead of trying to prove you deserve to be somewhere, concentrate on how you can help or add value. When you're genuinely focused on contributing to your team or field, there's less mental energy available for self-doubt and comparison.Reframe your internal dialogue. Instead of "I don't know what I'm doing," try "I'm learning as I go." Replace "I got lucky" with "I was prepared when opportunity came." This shift from fixed self-criticism to growth-oriented thinking can reduce the power of imposter thoughts. Some resources for you:Project more confidence and credibility with my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.com/words-to-avoid/My book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.com/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

Compensation Gaps: Research market rates and come prepared to meetings with your boss. Frame requests around value delivered rather than personal needs.Career Advancement Costs: Document your achievements regularly and present them confidently in your meetings with your boss. Show this value by using examples and metrics.Workplace Dynamics and Respect: Balance warmth and assertiveness with your voice and your expressions.Idea Ownership and Credit: When your idea is overlooked, use the amplification strategy. Ask allies to repeat and credit your ideas in meetings. Avoid hedging when you speak. Build Your Voice: Speak with conviction, authority, and volume. Add vocal variety to sound more interesting and avoid upspeak (where you say a statement as a question mark).Some resources for you:Want to see how you score as a confident communicator? Take The Confidence Cocktail Assessment: https://karenlaos.com/confidence-cocktail-fb/Project more confidence and credibility with my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/My book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosAbout me:Many years ago I found myself tongue-tied in a boardroom, my colleagues and executives staring at me. My stomach in my throat, I was unable to get the words out (in spite of being in a senior leadership role). Then, I heard my boss shut down the meeting. My heart sank. I was mortified. She pulled me aside and said, "You didn't trust your gut. You could've tabled the meeting like I did."Why didn't that option occur to me in the moment? Why did I feel like I needed permission?That was the day I set out to change. I began a journey of personal growth to discover the root of the problem. Once I did, I wanted every woman to experience that same freedom.I'm now on a mission to eradicate self-doubt in 10 million women in 10 years by giving them simple strategies to speak up and ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond, resulting in more clients, job promotions, and negotiation wins.Companies like NASA, Netflix, Google, and Sephora have been propelled toward more effective communication skills through my signature framework, The Confidence Cocktail™.This is your invitation to step into your most confident self so you can catapult your career! Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/ Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Want to see how you score as a confident communicator? Take The Confidence Cocktail Assessment: https://karenlaos.com/confidence-cocktail-fb/ Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

If you wonder how you can stand out, be remembered and get more opportunities, listen to these 5 tips that you can immediately apply! Be genuinely curious about others. Ask thoughtful follow-up questions and remember details from previous conversations. When you show real interest in someone's work, hobbies, or challenges, they'll remember how you made them feel heard. People forget what you said but remember how you made them feel.Be fully present when you're with people. In a world of distraction, giving someone your complete attention is increasingly rare and powerful. Put away devices, listen to understand rather than to respond, and engage with what they're actually saying. Tell stories that reveal something about you. Skip the generic small talk and share specific, vivid anecdotes that show your personality or values. A story about the time you failed spectacularly and what you learned is infinitely more memorable than listing your accomplishments.Do something unexpected for others. Send a handwritten note, remember someone's coffee order, or offer help with something completely outside your job description. Small, thoughtful gestures that go beyond what's expected create lasting impressions because they're so rare.Own your quirks and expertise. Whatever makes you different—whether it's an unusual hobby, a specific skill, or even an endearing habit—embrace it rather than hiding it. Being the person who knows everything about vintage motorcycles or always has the perfect book recommendation gives people a mental hook to remember you by.Some resources for you:Want to see how you score as a confident communicator? Take The Confidence Cocktail Assessment: https://karenlaos.com/confidence-cocktail-fb/Project more confidence and credibility with my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/My book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Want to see how you score as a confident communicator? Take The Confidence Cocktail Assessment: https://karenlaos.com/confidence-cocktail-fb/ Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

Ever wonder how you'll ever stop people-pleasing and say yes to yourself instead? This episode is for you! Set small boundaries first. Start with low-stakes situations to practice saying no or expressing your preferences. For example, choosing the restaurant when asked, or declining a small favor when you're genuinely busy. These smaller moments build your confidence for bigger boundary-setting situations.Pause before automatically agreeing. When someone asks something of you, try responding with "Let me check my schedule and get back to you" or "I need to think about that." This brief delay gives you space to consider what you actually want to do rather than reflexively saying yes to avoid disappointing someone.Remember that disappointment isn't dangerous. People-pleasers often fear others' negative reactions, but someone being temporarily disappointed or mildly upset doesn't mean you've done something wrong or that the relationship is in jeopardy. Most healthy relationships can handle occasional "no" responses, and those that can't may need reevaluation.Notice your internal warning signs. Pay attention to feelings of resentment, exhaustion, or anxiety that often accompany over-committing. These emotions are signals that you're stretching yourself too thin to accommodate others. When you catch these feelings early, you can course-correct before burning out.Practice stating your needs directly. Instead of hinting or hoping others will guess what you want, try expressing yourself clearly. Say "I'd prefer to meet at 2 PM" rather than "Whatever time works for you is fine." Direct communication often leads to better outcomes and reduces the mental energy spent on trying to read between the lines.The key is building these skills gradually. People-pleasing patterns developed over time, so changing them takes patience and consistent practice. Some resources for you:Want to see how you score as a confident communicator? Take The Confidence Cocktail Assessment: https://karenlaos.com/confidence-cocktail-fb/Project more confidence and credibility with my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/My book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Want to see how you score as a confident communicator? Take The Confidence Cocktail Assessment: https://karenlaos.com/confidence-cocktail-fb/ Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

In an ideal world, everything goes as planned. Everyone asks the questions you expect and nothing throws you. You and I both know this is not the case. Even for the most well-prepared moment, someone will ask a question or comment that derails your entire thought process, and you're left with only one option: to think on your feet. Listen to this episode for tips on handling these circumstances with confidence. Tangible Takeaways:Ask these two framing questions when something unexpected occurs: ask, “what's needed here?” and secondly, “what's required of me.”The key to thinking on your feet is being cognizant of those around you versus focusing on yourself. This information is vital for quick assessments!If you tend to interject and react too quickly, create a mantra such as “stop, pause, breathe” that you say to yourself to stop yourself from speaking prematurely. The best way to get better at thinking on your feet is to sign up for an improv class! Or have someone practice with you by drilling you with questions.Create space for a “parking lot.” When something doesn't quite fit into the discussion, move it into the “parking lot” and circle back to it at the end. Some resources for you:Want to see how you score as a confident communicator? Take The Confidence Cocktail Assessment: https://karenlaos.com/confidence-cocktail-fb/Project more confidence and credibility with my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/My book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Want to see how you score as a confident communicator? Take The Confidence Cocktail Assessment: https://karenlaos.com/confidence-cocktail-fb/ Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

Influencing up is a critical skill to moving up in our careers. We need to be intentional and strategic if we want to be more visible for a new role, promotion or to attract any new opportunity. These six tips will help you get there faster.Build credibility with consistent excellenceDeliver exceptional results consistently to establish yourself as reliable and valuable. When leaders trust your work quality and judgment, they're more likely to consider your ideas and recommendations. Recognize that you have specialized knowledge or frontline insights that leadership lacks. Share these perspectives confidently.Understand your leader's priorities and pressuresTake time to learn what matters most to decision-makers above you - their goals, challenges, and what they're evaluated on. Frame your proposals in terms of these priorities to show alignment with their objectives.Present solutions, not just problemsWhen raising issues, come prepared with thoughtful recommendations and implementation plans. Leaders appreciate team members who think proactively and take initiative rather than simply escalating issues.Communicate strategicallyFrame your ideas in terms of organizational goals and leadership priorities. Tailor your message to your audience's communication style.  Some leaders prefer data-driven presentations while others respond to storytelling. Be concise, focus on impact, and anticipate potential questions or concerns.Build genuine relationships before you need themDevelop trust through reliability, thoughtful interactions, and demonstrating value in everyday work. Identify and nurture relationships with influential stakeholders who can champion your ideas. When multiple respected voices support your position, it creates momentum that's difficult for leaders to ignore. Connect with leaders on a personal level while maintaining professionalism. Demonstrate emotional intelligenceRead the organizational climate and timing carefully. Understand when to press forward with an idea and when to temporarily step back. Show empathy for the pressures leaders face while maintaining conviction in your valuable contributions.Some resources for you:Want to see how you score as a confident communicator? Take The Confidence Cocktail Assessment: https://karenlaos.com/confidence-cocktail-fb/Project more confidence and credibility with my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/My book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosAbout me:Many years ago I found myself tongue-tied in a boardroom, my colleagues and executives staring at me. My stomach in my throat, I was unable to get the words out (in spite of being in a senior leadership role). Then, I heard my boss shut down the meeting. My heart sank. I was mortified. She pulled me aside and said, "You didn't trust your gut. You could've tabled the meeting like I did."Why didn't that option occur to me in the moment? Why did I feel like I needed permission?That was the day I set out to change. I began a journey of personal growth to discover the root of the problem. Once I did, I wanted every woman to experience that same freedom.I'm now on a mission to eradicate self-doubt in 10 million women in 10 years by giving them simple strategies to speak up and ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond, resulting in more clients, job promotions, and negotiation wins.Companies like NASA, Netflix, Google, and Sephora have been propelled toward more effective communication skills through my signature framework, The Confidence Cocktail™.This is your invitation to step into your most confident self so you can catapult your career! Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Want to see how you score as a confident communicator? Take The Confidence Cocktail Assessment: https://karenlaos.com/confidence-cocktail-fb/ Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

5 Communication Strategies for Handling Someone Who Interrupts or Talks Over YouHold your ground calmly but firmly. When interrupted, pause briefly, then say something like, "I'd like to finish my thought before moving on" or "I wasn't quite done with my point." Use a neutral tone that's assertive without being confrontational.Have a private conversation. Address the pattern outside of group settings: "I've noticed that I'm often interrupted during our discussions, and I'd appreciate the chance to fully express my ideas. Could we work together on this?" This approach avoids public embarrassment while addressing the issue directly.Use body language strategically. Maintain your speaking posture, keep your hand raised slightly, or use a gentle hand gesture to indicate you're still speaking. Sometimes a simple non-verbal cue can effectively communicate that you haven't finished your point.Maintain your speaking rhythm. When someone begins to interrupt, slightly increase your volume (without shouting) and continue speaking. Often, this subtle vocal adjustment signals your intention to finish your thought and discourages interruption.Enlist an ally. If the interruptions occur in meetings, arrange beforehand for a trusted colleague to intervene: "I think Sam wasn't quite finished with their point. I'd like to hear the rest of it." This third-party support can be especially helpful if there's a power dynamic at play.Some resources for you:Want to see how you score as a confident communicator? Take The Confidence Cocktail Assessment: https://karenlaos.com/confidence-cocktail-fb/Project more confidence and credibility with my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/My book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Want to see how you score as a confident communicator? Take The Confidence Cocktail Assessment: https://karenlaos.com/confidence-cocktail-fb/ Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

If you want to build relationships, increase trust and be seen as an influential leader, you'll want to practice empathy. Sometimes it escapes us, as you'll hear in my opening story about a recent customer service professional missing an opportunity.5 Tips for Empathy at WorkPractice active listening. Focus completely on understanding your colleagues before formulating your response. Put away devices, maintain eye contact, and ask clarifying questions to demonstrate that you genuinely value their perspective.Acknowledge emotions explicitly. Phrases like "That sounds frustrating" or "I can see why you're excited about this" validate your coworkers' feelings and create space for authentic communication, even in professional settings.Consider communication preferences. Some colleagues may prefer direct feedback while others need a gentler approach. Pay attention to how different team members respond to various communication styles and adapt accordingly.Check your assumptions. Before reacting to a confusing email or comment, ask yourself if you might be misinterpreting the message. When in doubt, seek clarification rather than responding based on potentially incorrect assumptions.Make space for different voices. In meetings, notice who isn't speaking and create opportunities for their input. Sometimes the most valuable perspectives come from those who don't naturally command attention in group settings.Some resources for you:Want to see how you score as a confident communicator? Take The Confidence Cocktail Assessment: https://karenlaos.com/confidence-cocktail-fb/Project more confidence and credibility with my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/My book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Want to see how you score as a confident communicator? Take The Confidence Cocktail Assessment: https://karenlaos.com/confidence-cocktail-fb/ Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

There are strategic things we can do to advance - the key is to be intentional and make a plan! See below for 5 ways to do it!Build a strategic skillset: Identify skills that are both in high demand in your industry and align with your career goals. Focus on developing technical expertise alongside transferable skills like leadership, communication, and problem-solving that will remain valuable as you progress. Create a deliberate learning plan with regular milestones.Cultivate meaningful relationships: Develop genuine connections with mentors, peers, and industry contacts who can provide guidance, opportunities, and advocacy. Schedule regular coffee chats, contribute to professional communities, and find ways to provide value to others in your network before asking for help.Seek visibility for your work: Volunteer for high-impact projects, share your accomplishments appropriately, and look for opportunities to present your work to decision-makers. Document your achievements and quantifiable results to build a compelling case for advancement when opportunities arise.Request and apply feedback effectively: Actively seek constructive criticism from supervisors, colleagues, and direct reports. Demonstrate your growth mindset by implementing feedback visibly and following up with those who provided it. This shows maturity and dedication to continuous improvement.Take calculated career risks: Step outside your comfort zone by pursuing stretch assignments, lateral moves to develop new skills, or roles in emerging areas of your organization or industry. These strategic pivots often accelerate growth more than staying in a safe but stagnant position. Some resources for you:Want to see how you score as a confident communicator? Take The Confidence Cocktail Assessment: https://karenlaos.com/confidence-cocktail-fb/ Project more confidence and credibility with my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/ My book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/ Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Want to see how you score as a confident communicator? Take The Confidence Cocktail Assessment: https://karenlaos.com/confidence-cocktail-fb/ Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

There are many habits we don't even realize may be getting in our way and hindering our ability to advance. But what are they? Being confusing instead of clear in our communication, not saying what we want, halting when we speak so we sound unsure, and staying quiet instead of speaking up…are just a few of the examples in this episode.Listen as I unpack some of the most common ways we hinder our credibility but often have no idea that we're doing it.If you love Orange Theory (or hate it!), see what you think about my analogy to commanding the room!  Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Want to see how you score as a confident communicator? Take The Confidence Cocktail Assessment: https://karenlaos.com/confidence-cocktail-fb/ Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

You know how you get those butterflies before speaking in a meeting or making a presentation? Listen to these 10 tips to reduce your anxiety and calm your nerves!Tip 1: Prep - know your contentTip 2: Say “I'm so excited” instead of “I'm so nervous” Tip 3: Breathe and do the Navy Seals box breathingTip 4: Sing your favorite songTip 5: Rock back and forth or side to sideTip 6: Tap yourself lightly on the arms and legsTip 7: StretchTip 8: Do PQ reps from the book Positive Intelligence (my favorites are the sense of touch and sound).Tip 9: Dance to your pump-up songTip 10: Focus on what the audience needs rather than you. If you focus on serving them it will take your mind off of you.  Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Want to see how you score as a confident communicator? Take The Confidence Cocktail Assessment: https://karenlaos.com/confidence-cocktail-fb/ Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

Some people who advance make it look so easy, and yet successful people are strategic. You can be, too. Karen shares both strategies and lessons we can learn from others who have catapulted their careers. Thanks to Gissell Moronta, SVP of Sales and Marketing at Atrium Hospitality, who shares her success story publicly.Some resources for you:Want to see how you score as a confident communicator? Take The Confidence Cocktail Assessment: https://karenlaos.com/confidence-cocktail-fb/Project more confidence and credibility with my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/My book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Want to see how you score as a confident communicator? Take The Confidence Cocktail Assessment: https://karenlaos.com/confidence-cocktail-fb/ Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

If you've ever hesitated to speak up or doubted how you come across, you're not alone. Building confidence doesn't happen overnight — it's a journey, and each small step matters. It's not just about what you say, but how you say it. That's why aligning your preparation, body language, and delivery is key to leaving a lasting impression. Listen for 5 tips to build confidence.Notes: 

You may not even realize that you're giving your power away. Listen in to hear three common mistakes women make and how to do something about it!What are the ways we do this? 1) We let other people define us2) We hesitate to self-promote3) We use minimizing language Listen in to learn strategies on how to build credibility by being clear on the value you bring to an organization, strategically promoting yourself, and how to eliminate words that bring doubt. I'll share my top tips with stories that show the value of communicating who you are and how to own your value, plus something critical: how word choice plays a HUGE role in your leadership presence. You'll want to eliminate these three from your vocabulary! Some resources for you:Want to see how you score as a confident communicator? Take The Confidence Cocktail Assessment: https://karenlaos.com/confidence-cocktail-fb/Project more confidence and credibility with my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/My book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos About me:Many years ago I found myself tongue-tied in a boardroom, my colleagues and executives staring at me. My stomach in my throat, I was unable to get the words out (in spite of being in a senior leadership role). Then, I heard my boss shut down the meeting. My heart sank. I was mortified. She pulled me aside and said, "You didn't trust your gut. You could've tabled the meeting like I did."Why didn't that option occur to me in the moment? Why did I feel like I needed permission?That was the day I set out to change. I began a journey of personal growth to discover the root of the problem. Once I did, I wanted every woman to experience that same freedom.I'm now on a mission to eradicate self-doubt in 10 million women in 10 years by giving them simple strategies to speak up and ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond, resulting in more clients, job promotions, and negotiation wins.Companies like NASA, Netflix, Google, and Sephora have been propelled toward more effective communication skills through my signature framework, The Confidence Cocktail™.This is your invitation to step into your most confident self so you can catapult your career! Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Want to see how you score as a confident communicator? Take The Confidence Cocktail Assessment: https://karenlaos.com/confidence-cocktail-fb/ Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

On the phone with a distraught client last week, I was reminded of the assumptions we make and how doing this holds us back. The stress from these assumptions can put our stomach in knots - only to find out later the situation was a simple misunderstanding. You have to advocate for yourself if you want more opportunities. Most of the time this stems from poor communication and doubting ourselves. A lethal combination.We default to “my boss doesn't respect me anymore” “she doesn't think I'm cut out for this” or  “I'm not enough for my boss even though I'm killing myself working 60-70 hour work weeks.”Here's my client's story:Julie (name changed), SVP, was told by her boss (C-level role, who she has a solid relationship with) that she didn't want Julie on a project anymore (communicating via Slack).Julie immediately thought her boss didn't trust or respect her, and started ruminating:“How could this be? She's always praised me for my work. What is this about? Why is she doing this? Does she think I'm incompetent?”Julie wasn't going to address it (problem #1!) because of her fear of what she would hear. In their next conversation, her boss revealed the reason she wanted her off that project: to give her greater visibility on a bigger project! This was completely unexpected, and cleared everything up with a simple conversation.Anything similar ever happened to you? And what advice would you offer Julie if this were to happen again?Let's look at some lessons from this.We can't control our boss's behavior (saying that over Slack?! Come on, now), but we can control our own. At minimum, say something, such as “Hey, boss, what was your reasoning for taking me off that project?” or “help me understand your logic…” Before getting all tied up in knots with assumptions, address it head on. You'll likely find out helpful information that clears a lot up before you go losing more sleep.Tell your boss what you need. “Boss, if you have important direction to offer regarding new or revised responsibilities, I'd like to get that information in a conversation rather than a message over Slack or email. Does that work for you?” And depending on your relationship, you could say “Hearing that in Slack with no context made me think you might have an issue with my performance, so being able to hear it in conversation would be beneficial.” or “Hearing that in Slack left me with more questions…”Know your triggers and respond appropriately. If you are naturally bent toward questioning yourself or thinking you're the problem (would love to help you overcome this, btw!), be aware of that when you get a message that doesn't land well. Ask another trusted colleague, friend or coach how they would've received it. That objective perspective can be incredibly insightful. For someone who isn't triggered the same way you are, the message will be received differently. We all hold baggage from our past that informs our present.Always remember that no one will care as much about your career as YOU do, so you have to advocate for yourself. Don't expect anyone else to, and when you ask, ask with confidence. Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Want to see how you score as a confident communicator? Take The Confidence Cocktail Assessment: https://karenlaos.com/confidence-cocktail-fb/ Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

If you want to show up with confidence, use these communication tips from The Confidence Cocktail™ that will help you get there. Take a walk through my signature framework to guide you in becoming a clear, compelling and credible communicator.Here are the 8 ingredients we'll explore alongside specific examples that you can try out yourself:Identity - who are you and how do you want people to experience you? What do you want to be known for?Mindset - how to overcome self-doubt so you can fully embrace your confident self. We talk about an exercise to overcome imposter syndrome.Presence - how is your posture, body language overall? Including facial expressions and voice, we walk through tips on how to improve.Message - do you get to the point quickly and state it up front?Think on your feet - what techniques do you use to handle unexpected situations with grace and ease? I've got you covered!Challenging Conversations - how do you lean into conflict or difficult people?Leadership - you've got to be a servant leader to truly lead well. I'll talk about how.Negotiation - listen to my couch story to learn a few tips and the big lesson Iearned!And the most important ingredient of all is at the base of the cocktail glass - courage! We have to activate our courage to become our most confident selves. Let's do it!Want to see how you score as a confident communicator? Take The Confidence Cocktail Assessment: https://karenlaos.com/confidence-cocktail-fb/ Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

Inspired by the book Your Best Year Yet by Jinny Ditzler, join me as I walk through 10 questions to help you reflect back on 2024 and look ahead to 2025, starting with celebrating! And ending with a letter to yourself, written as if it's December 2025.Here are the questions:What did I accomplish in 2024?What fun things happened?What were my greatest disappointments?What did I learn?What intention will make me most successful in 2025?What one word will be my focus in 2025?How do I limit myself and how can I stop?What inner qualities would I like to nurture?What external outcomes will demonstrate that these inner qualities are deepening? What's my “why”?Some resources for you:Want to be a clear, compelling and credible communicator? Take The Confidence Cocktail Assessment: https://karenlaos.com/confidence-cocktail-fb/Project more confidence and credibility with my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/My book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

For too long I didn't speak up when I wanted to, even though I was in a leadership role in my company, working for industry leaders like Google, Netflix and UnitedHealthcare. I found myself focused too much on people pleasing, worried that I would be judged or that I would rock the boat. Today's episode gives you three specific tips to help you speak up in meetings, in spite of any doubt you may have.Speak First. You know those few seconds of awkward silence in the beginning of a meeting? Everyone is waiting for someone to go first. Let that be you!Here are three reasons to speak first: It shows your leadership. You demonstrate confidence to jump in right away. When you share your great thoughts, people start listening. Especially when it is relevant and makes an impact.You get your thoughts out of the way so you don't have to worry about several others speaking before you, such that then when it's your turn, you have nothing unique to add.It reduces anxiety. If you go first, you won't be worried about what you wanted to say the whole time, allowing you to be present for the meeting and hear what people are contributing.2. When you want to share your opinion in a way that's diplomatic and direct, say, “here's my vote” or “here's what I think”. Years ago, I was reporting to the president of the company where I worked and one day she surprised me by saying, “Karen, you always come to meetings and ask us what we think. I want to know what you think.” It took me aback, but I realized she was right. I rarely offered my opinion because I was afraid my boss wouldn't approve or think it was any good. This method of interjecting with “here's my vote” felt really good to me because the sentence prompt alone helped me have a strategy in my toolbox when I needed it. After doing it many times now and seeing my clients use this same strategy, I know it works!3.How to stop rambling and get to the point. Our tendency to ramble is one of the biggest obstacles to presenting well. As a recovering rambler myself, I get it. It's hard to stay on point when we have so much to say, or we're nervous. Sometimes we come across as unfocused without realizing it. Or, we realize it and have a hard time knowing how to get out of it.How do you fix it? Here are two ways:If you notice yourself doing it and your words are already out there, pause, gather your thoughts and say out loud, “My point is this…” and state your point.If you realize you're lost, pause, stay silent, gather your thoughts and move on with your point. No one will notice the difference, most likely. Pausing gives the audience a chance to absorb what you said and gives their brains a break.Some resources for you:Want to be a clear, compelling and credible communicator? Take The Confidence Cocktail Assessment: https://karenlaos.com/confidence-cocktail-fb/Project more confidence and credibility with my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/ Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

What is the best way to influence and get buy-in when you're speaking to others, be it a big audience or small, conference room or boardroom, peer meetings or executive meetings? We all want to come across in a way that moves our listeners to action, show up with confidence, and get what we want. Use these tips to persuade in the best way possible.Be Clear: Get to the point, use the BLUF principle: Bottom Line Up Front, and don't ramble on and get off on tangents.Be Compelling: Speak with authority, use vocal variety, tell stories, use examples and data points to grab your audience's attention.Be Credible: Avoid using filler words like “um” and “ah.” and pause to show control and calm. Avoid “upspeak,” which is when you speak with a question mark rather than a period. Make sure to use punctuation - exactly like you do in the written word.Listen for examples and more stories to demonstrate these principles.Some resources for you:My book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

Never be stuck with what to say when someone asks you to introduce yourself! Listen to this episode for my PPU formula so you're never thrown off guard and you're always prepared with what to say.Talking about yourself is simply a chance to let people get to know you.Here's my PPU introduction formula:1) Say something Personal 2) Share what you do Professionally3) Offer something Unique about you Here's how it might sound in conversation:I'm originally from Minnesota and now live in San Francisco with my husband and two kitties, after packing my bags in the mid-90's to follow a dream of living in SF.Professionally, I'm a keynote speaker helping women communicate with confidence so they can advance in their careers.One unique thing about me is that I love adventure. An example of that is deciding to live in Manhattan for the whole month of October for my 50th birthday. I rented a place and lived like a local.Try that out and let me know how it goes! You'll sound prepared and leave your audience with something memorable about you. Some resources for you:If you're looking for connection and community, join us on a free Zoom call: Nov 22 from 8-9am PT/11-12 ET to talk about what gets in the way of asking for what we want. It's a safe and supportive place where we share resources and encourage one another. You can sign up here: https://karenlaos.ac-page.com/conversation-connection Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

Want to eliminate your “um's” once and for all? You'll find 6 tips to do it on this episode! We'll talk about what gets in the way and how to tackle it, so those filler words don't decrease your credibility.Self-talk (if you're always thinking “I'm going to say “um” then you probably will. Change up your self-talk to focus on what you want to shift (for example, “I am a person who perfectly pauses”)Pause (to think, to breathe, and show control) in place of a filler wordRecord yourself (this will give you objective reality of how you're coming across and you can find out how many times you use “um's” OR maybe you don't say them as much as you think)Affirmations (Use a phrase that affirms how well you speak with perfectly timed pauses)Practice (keep doing more reps and recording yourself and you'll make progress)Feedback (get input from others around you so you become more aware)Some resources for you:If you're looking for connection and community, join us on a free Zoom call: Oct 25 from 8-9am PT/11-12 ET to talk about what gets in the way of asking for what we want. It's a safe and supportive place where we share resources and encourage one another. You can sign up here: https://karenlaos.ac-page.com/conversation-connection  Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

Don't let self-doubt hold you back. Or people pleasing, fear of judgment, and trying to be all things to all people. You might be giving your power away and you don't even know it! Want to find out and take your power back?Here's what we'll cover:We downplay our strengths instead of celebrating and leveraging them.We use minimizing language such as “I'm sorry, just, I think, maybe/kinda/sorta, and I'm not an expert, but…”We doubt ourselves and use negative self-talk.Instead, take your power back:Create a celebration portfolio, which is a list of your accomplishments and your character strengths. Add to it regularly. Have a celebration practice where you celebrate weekly wins (even better: daily!)

Summary: Ever been tongue-tied in a meeting, or simply wanted to project more credibility? Don't let self-doubt silence you. Learn concrete communication strategies so you can speak with authority and be seen as the influential leader that you want to be. Here's what you'll find in this episode, for those who like the Cliff Notes:How to stop rambling and get to the point (stop, pause and say “my point is this” )Be succinct (use fewer words to make your point or use quantifiable tips “I've got 3 things to discuss today)Be likable (show interest in others, find common ground, be present and listen, smile)Be assertive (speak with conviction - as a statement, not a question, use a strong handshake when meeting in person)Be aware (read the room, notice how people are responding, adjust as needed and ask more questions of the audience to gain more engagement).Some resources for you:Want to speak with confidence and get 3 tips to command any room? I've got a free workshop on Zoom: Oct 15 from 12-1 PT / 3-4 ET. Sign up here: https://karenlaos.com/become-a-confident-communicator-free-workshop/When women come together, magical things happen. If you're looking for connection and community, join us on a free Zoom call: Oct 27 from 8-9am PT/11-12 ET to talk about what gets in the way of asking for what we want. It's a safe and supportive place where we share resources and encourage one another. You can sign up here: https://karenlaos.ac-page.com/conversation-connection Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

Most women don't ask. It's time for you. If you've been hesitant or nervous about asking for a raise but know you want to land that pay increase, this episode is for you! Learn 8 strategies to get a “yes” from your boss.Here's a sneak peek:Tackle your self-doubt. Recognize that you are worthy of asking. This is a business deal. There's no shame in asking. List your accomplishments. Both tactical deliverables (the more specific, the better - numbers are best when possible) and character/personality strengths that make you likable and easy to work with. Support your case with why you deserve this.Know your number and be specific. What do you want? Ideal number and also what you will settle for. Do your research and know what's standard or typical for the company. 3% is generally standard. Some companies have both merit and standard of living increases.Keep your boss's and the company's interests in mind. What matters to your boss? Where does your potential raise intersect with what they want?Be confident and considerate. Be mindful of body language, tone, and words that can make you sound hesitant. Don't waffle or waver.Paint a positive picture. What will this enable you to do for the company and how will it help you be more engaged/dedicated, etc?Practice in advance with a friend or coach. Anticipate questions and objections.Be clear on next steps - if it's a “no” ask why (what is the logic/help me understand) and use it as a learning. Ask what you can do going forward, ask if you have their support and be persistent with a timeline - can we revisit this in 3 months?Some resources for you:Want to speak with confidence and get 3 tips to command any room? I've got a free workshop on Zoom: Sept 18 from 12-1 PT / 3-4 ET. Sign up here: https://karenlaos.com/become-a-confident-communicator-free-workshop/When women come together, magical things happen. If you're looking for connection and community, join us on a free Zoom call: Sept 27 from 8-9am PT/11-12 ET to talk about what gets in the way of asking for what we want. It's a safe and supportive place where we share resources and encourage one another. You can sign up here: https://karenlaos.ac-page.com/conversation-connection Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

Summary: If you've ever caught yourself rambling and wondered, “how do I get out of this?!” this episode is for you. Here's a sneak peek:Leverage the power of the pauseGet to your point within 30 seconds to a minute otherwise or people will tune outAvoid the curse of knowledge so others can understand you easierMake sure to use BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)Be direct vs. passive when you make a requestAvoid pleasantries up front Some resources for you:If you're a woman who wants to advance your career by ditching doubt and upleveling in your communication skills and confidence, check out The Power House, my mastermind: https://karenlaos.com/the-power-house/When women come together, magical things happen. If you're looking for connection and community, join us on a free Zoom call: Sept 27 from 8-9am PT/11-12 ET to talk about what gets in the way of asking for what we want. It's a safe and supportive place where we share resources and encourage one another. You can sign up here: https://karenlaos.ac-page.com/conversation-connectionSchedule a call with me if you're intrigued to learn more about working with me: http://karenlaos.ac-page.com/clarity-call-scheduling-page Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

Some resources for you:If you're a woman who wants to advance your career by ditching doubt and upleveling in your communication skills and confidence, check out The Power House, my mastermind: https://karenlaos.com/the-power-house/When women come together, magical things happen. If you're looking for connection and community, join us on a free Zoom call: August 23 from 8-9am PT/11-12 ET to talk about what gets in the way of asking for what we want. It's a safe and supportive place where we share resources and encourage one another. You can sign up here: https://karenlaos.ac-page.com/conversation-connection-waitlistSchedule a call with me if you're intrigued to learn more about working with me: http://karenlaos.ac-page.com/clarity-call-scheduling-page Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

If you're a woman who wants to advance your career by ditching doubt and upleveling in your communication skills and confidence, check out The Power House, my mastermind: https://karenlaos.com/the-power-house/When women come together, magical things happen. If you're looking for connection and community, join us on a free Zoom call: August 30 from 8-9am PT/11-12 ET to talk about what gets in the way of asking for what we want. It's a safe and supportive place where we share resources and encourage one another. You can sign up here: https://karenlaos.ac-page.com/conversation-connection-waitlistSchedule a call with me if you're intrigued to learn more about working with me: http://karenlaos.ac-page.com/clarity-call-scheduling-page Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

If you're a woman who wants to advance your career by ditching doubt and upleveling in your communication skills and confidence, check out The Power House, my mastermind: https://karenlaos.com/the-power-house/When women come together, magical things happen. If you're looking for connection and community, join us on a free Zoom call: July 26 from 8-9am PT/11-12 ET to talk about what gets in the way of asking for what we want. It's a safe and supportive place where we share resources and encourage one another. You can sign up here: https://karenlaos.ac-page.com/conversation-connectionSchedule a call with me if you're intrigued to learn more about working with me: http://karenlaos.ac-page.com/clarity-call-scheduling-page Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

If you're a woman who wants to advance your career by ditching doubt and upleveling in your communication skills and confidence, check out The Power House, my mastermind: https://karenlaos.com/the-power-house/When women come together, magical things happen. If you're looking for connection and community, join us on a free Zoom call: July 26 from 8-9am PT/11-12 ET to talk about what gets in the way of asking for what we want. It's a safe and supportive place where we share resources and encourage one another. You can sign up here: https://karenlaos.ac-page.com/conversation-connection Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

Listen for…How I became a TEDx speaker coach (born out of “rejection”!)The key ingredients you need if you want to stand on the red dot one dayBest practices during the application processWhat TEDx is looking forWhat NOT to do when applyingWhat might surprise you about the processIf you're a woman who wants to advance your career by ditching doubt and upleveling in your communication skills and confidence, check out The Power House, my mastermind: https://karenlaos.com/the-power-house/When women come together, magical things happen. If you're looking for connection and community, join us on a free Zoom call: June 28 from 8-9am PT/11-12 ET to talk about what gets in the way of asking for what we want. It's a safe and supportive place where we share resources and encourage one another. You can sign up here: https://karenlaos.ac-page.com/conversation-connection Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

Here are some highlights to listen for:Two ways that someone destroyed their credibility this weekWhy do people kill their own credibility?Phrases harming your credibilityMinimizing words to avoidHow to stop using these words and phrases in your communication Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Powerful Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Episodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

Mark interviews professor, pastor, speaker, and author Donn King about writing, his podcast, and his books THE WAY OF THE THREE-YEAR-OLD WHY and MEDIUM WELL. Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update, comments from recent episodes, and a word from this episode's sponsor. Learn more about this self-publishing/WIDE-publishing focused cruise.   In their interview Mark and Donn talk about: Donn's gradual evolution into becoming a writer with starting work at a newspaper when he was 14 years old An experience in sixth grade discovering science fiction novels in the library and realizing reading could be fun when you weren't being forced to do it The first sci-fi novel Donn remembers reading: Robert A. Heinlein's HAVE SPACESUIT WILL TRAVEL Donn's first foray into writing short fiction in a 3-ring binder with a pencil Learning about his non-fiction writing from Bob Burg, co-author of THE GO-GIVER a bestselling business parable book How elements from writing good fiction apply when writing a parable Drawing upon autobiographical elements even when fictionalizing a parable The difference between Writer's Block and The Well Going Dry Donn's podcast, The Alignment Show The Great Realignment and pausing to step back and consider what really brings value to you Donn's book MEDIUM WELL: The Journey From Believing to Believing In The beautifully inquisitive nature of 3-Year-Olds in Donn's THE WAY OF THE THREE-YEAR-OLD WHY Principal Five - Without emotion, there is no motion The challenges of booking live speaking events when caring for family members who require that additional compassion and care The reality that none of us have any certainty - we merely live with the illusion of certainty The concept of connection before content And more . . .   After the interview Mark reflects on a few of the topics that came up in their conversation.   Links of Interest: Donn King's Website Donn King's Books The Confidence Cultivators Podcast Mark's Guest Spot on Episode 54 YouTube Video of Episode 54 EP 357 - 50 Years of Short Stories with Kevin J. Anderson Kevin's Short Story Kickstarter EP 356 - The Midlist Indie Author Mindset with T. Thorn Coyle Thorn's Patreon Site Writers of the Future - Blog Post Announcing Mark as a Judge Stark Publishing Support for Authors Via Margins Agency ScribeCount (Mark's Affiliate Link) Mark's YouTube Channel Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections How to Access Patreon RSS Feeds An Author's Guide to Working With Bookstores and Libraries The Relaxed Author Buy eBook Direct Buy Audiobook Direct Publishing Pitfalls for Authors An Author's Guide to Working with Libraries & Bookstores Wide for the Win Mark's Canadian Werewolf Books This Time Around (Short Story) A Canadian Werewolf in New York Stowe Away (Novella) Fear and Longing in Los Angeles Fright Nights, Big City Lover's Moon Hex and the City Only Monsters in the Building The Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and Automobiles Yippee Ki-Yay Motherf*cker: A Trivia Guide to Die Hard   Donn King is "The Confidence Cultivator," a professor, pastor, speaker, and author who lives in the mountains of East Tennessee. He also hosts "The Alignment Show," a podcast to support listeners in living their values so they can value their life. His book, "The Way of the Three-Year-Old Why," the first in the Sparklight Chronicles, came out in 2023, with "Medium Well," the second in the series, came out in early 2024     The introductory, end, and bumper music for this podcast (“Laser Groove”) was composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com and is Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

How did Rachael's Kickstarter end up? IT IS EXCITING! And then dive into what's keeping you from writing with Donn King! Donn King is The Confidence Cultivator. He is a professor of communication studies (which means “a professor of standing up in front of people and saying stuff”). He's also an author, a pastor, a speaker, and a communication coach.He started writing for a newspaper at age 14 and made part or, at times, all of his living writing for over 40 years. But when his disabled daughter came along, he thought his well had dried up, and he was unable to write for over a decade. A year ago his muse started talking to him again, and he has written two books in The Sparklight Series and has a third in process. Don't miss his podcast! Ink In Your Veins: How Writers Actually Write (and how you can, too)Writing doesn't have to be so hard. With internationally bestselling author Rachael Herron, learn how to embrace ease, reject perfectionism, and finally create your perfect writing process. (Formerly known as How Do You Write) Come for inspiration, stay for lots more.✏️ Can I email you some writing help?

Karen Laos, Communication Expert, and Confidence Cultivator is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. How can you use your voice as a woman leader that radiates confidence and credibility? How can you ask for what you want and get it? Ex. raises in pay, lighter or heavier workload, flexible hours at work. How can I speak with confidence in the boardroom? How can I stop rambling and get to the point? What 9 words should I avoid to sound more confident as a leader? What should I say instead? Karen Laos Karen Laos, Communication Expert, and Confidence Cultivator is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. Coached by her father, Karen first recognized the power of confident communication when she successfully negotiated her first flea market purchase at just six years old. She now guides women to transform self-doubt into self-confidence resulting in more clients, job promotions, and negotiation wins. With 25 years of serving as a C-Suite advisor and commanding the most coveted stages worldwide such as Google, Starbucks, and NASA, Karen leads the frontline of best practices for creating results through confident communication. She guides corporations and individuals with a proven model and is known for her actionable tips. Excellent Executive Coaching Podcast If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. We would love for you to leave a review. The EEC podcasts are sponsored by MKB Excellent Executive Coaching that helps you get from where you are to where you want to be with customized leadership and coaching development programs. MKB Excellent Executive Coaching offers leadership development programs to generate action, learning, and change that is aligned with your authentic self and values. Transform your dreams into reality and invest in yourself by scheduling a discovery session with Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC to reach your goals. Your host is Dr. Katrina Burrus, MCC, founder and general manager of Excellent Executive Coaching a company specialized in leadership development.

Self-doubt plagues the best of us, and often at the worst possible moment, but there are things you can do to minimize its effects on your life. Our guest Karen Laos shares some amazing tips and a free download you'll want to add to your self-improvement toolbox. Karen Laos, a Communication Expert, and Confidence Cultivator, is on a mission to eradicate self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them simple strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. Karen first recognized the power of confident communication when she successfully negotiated her first flea market purchase at six years old. With 25 years commanding coveted stages such as Google and NASA, she now guides women to transform self-doubt into self-confidence resulting in more clients, job promotions, and negotiation wins. If you'd like to know what words many people say that take away from their credibility, download this free PDF on 9 Words to Avoid and What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.com/words-to-avoid/Let's Connect! For complete episode transcripts, head over to https://encoreempire.com/podcast Website: https://encoreempire.com Ready to find out what it would be like to get the expert guidance from Carmen & Deirdre that you need to achieve your business goals? Head over to https://vip.encoreempire.com/ebi Register for the FREE Marketing Methodology Workshop: https://encoreempire.com/mmw Business Growth Resources: https://vip.encoreempire.com Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empireofunstoppablewomen

Tangible Takeaways:Pay attention to the experiences you create for others, whether it's in person, over the phone, or via email. Consider how you want people to feel in your presence and make those experiences positive and warm.Write your eulogy. This exercise can provide clarity on the qualities, actions, or values you want to be evident in your life. Use this reflection to guide your actions in life.Reflect on what matters most to you and what gives you joy. Explore your passions, interests, and positive qualities, to find your why or purpose.  Acknowledge negative realities and grieve instead of avoiding or suppressing negative feelings or losses in your life. Grieving and allowing yourself and others to feel these emotions can open the pathway to joy and healing.Find your why or purpose by exploring your passions, interests, and the activities that bring you joy. Your big why can be found there!P.S. This will be the last episode for 2023! I will be taking a much-needed break, and return in January. I look forward to reconnecting in the New Year! About me:Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Leadership Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Clubhouse: @karenlaosEpisodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

Tangible Takeaways:Recognize what you can control and that you can't control the actions or health of other people. Especially those suffering from chronic pain or disease. Instead of fixing it, ask what is needed.Establish clear boundaries for yourself to prevent burnout. Prioritize self-care and ensure you're taking care of your physical and emotional well-being.Ask for what you need! Communicate your needs to friends, family, and other support networks to avoid feeling overwhelmed.Take time to reflect on your emotions, frustrations, and losses associated with the situation. Give your negative feelings space to be processed. That alone is therapeutic.Find moments of joy and positivity amidst the challenges. Laughter and positivity can co-exist with pain, and maintaining a hopeful outlook can significantly affect your ability to cope! About me:Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Leadership Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/ Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Clubhouse: @karenlaosEpisodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

In a world where effective negotiation skills can make or break careers, partnerships, and personal growth, self-confidence is fundamental. A successful negotiation is built upon it. It's true that self-doubt can loom over many people like a shadow, hindering their progress and thwarting their potential.   In this episode, Cindy Watson will be joined by the remarkable Karen Laos. With over 25 years of experience as a C-Suite advisor and a distinguished career commanding stages at renowned organizations like Google, Starbucks, and NASA, Karen is a true luminary in the field of confident communication.   She is not only a communication expert but also a confidence cultivator, empowering individuals to break free from self-doubt and harness the strength of their own voices. She's the author of the influential book "Trust Your Own Voice: Growing Your Influence Through Confident Communication" and the dynamic host of the highly ranked podcast "Ignite Your Confidence," where she equips women to unleash their potential and take their rightful seat at the table.   So get a pad and pen ready as we dive into this conversation about How to Transform Self-doubt into Self-confidence to Get Better Negotiated Outcomes.   In this episode, we'll discover:   What are the three C's? Confidence, Clarity, and Connection. How to build trust and credibility The nine words to avoid Get to know the fear script exercise What is the Broadway Musical Exercise? What are some of the key problems with communication in the workplace?  What are the hallmarks of a great negotiator? And many more!   Get to know more about Karen:   Website: www.karenlaos.com Socials:   https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ignite-your-confidence-with-karen-laos/id1549605790 https://www.facebook.com/KarenLaosConsulting/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/ If you're looking to up-level your negotiation skills, I have everything from online to group to my signature one-on-one mastermind & VIP experiences available to help you better leverage your innate power to get more of what you want and deserve in life. Check out our website at www.artoffemininenegotiation.com if that sounds interesting to you. Get Cindy's book here:   Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Art-Feminine-Negotiation-Boardroom-Bedroom-ebook/dp/B0B8KPCYZP?inf_contact_key=94d07c699eea186d2adfbddfef6fb9e2&inf_contact_key=013613337189d4d12be8d2bca3c26821680f8914173f9191b1c0223e68310bb1   EBook https://www.amazon.com/Art-Feminine-Negotiation-Boardroom-Bedroom-ebook/dp/B0B8KPCYZP?inf_contact_key=94d07c699eea186d2adfbddfef6fb9e2&inf_contact_key=013613337189d4d12be8d2bca3c26821680f8914173f9191b1c0223e68310bb1   Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-art-of-feminine-negotiation-cindy-watson/1141499614?ean=9781631959776 CONNECT WITH CINDY:   Website: www.womenonpurpose.ca Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/womenonpurposecommunity/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenonpurposecoaching/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/thecindywatson Show: https://www.womenonpurpose.ca/media/podcast-2/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/womenonpurpose1 YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@hersuasion Email:  cindy@womenonpurpose.ca  

Tangible Takeaways:Try implementing "20 seconds of courage." For 20 seconds take those initial steps, whether it's asking for a raise, starting a conversation, or making a significant change. It only takes 20 seconds to get started!Write down your achievements. Keeping a record can boost confidence and provide a visual representation of your progress over time. (This is also handy when asking for a raise!)Be real and be you! Embrace who you are, understand your value, and build confidence from there. If you struggle with networking and starting conversations with new people, initiate conversations with a compliment. This can serve as a friendly icebreaker.About Sarah:Sarah's career began in the Network Marketing Industry, where she built large organizations and learned about the importance of personal development, setting goals and how to lead others. She later realized that she could reach a larger network by utilizing technology.Sarah then fell into the mobile marketing and tech world, where she was in charge of the marketing department, project management, customer success management, and found her true calling. That passion led to helping business professionals discover and establish their brands through technology.In 2018, Sarah expanded her career by entering the membership association industry and worked for the California Fashion Association. There she learned the business side of fashion. How to run a business, how to know your market and the difference between building a brand vs. becoming an influencer.February 2021, Sarah became the Director of Membership Engagement & Business Development with the California Manufacturers & Technology Association supporting all California Manufacturers on a advocacy level, supporting seventeen sectors of manufacturing including the garment and textile industry.Furthermore, in 2017, Sarah and her family founded "The Soule Foundation" in honor of her Father, Dwight Johnson. In Dwight's memory, the Johnson Clan continues to host the Annual Dwight Johnson Golf Classic" to raise money for local charities in the Seattle area. Connect with Heather:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heather.whelpley/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherwhelpley/ About me:Karen Laos, Communication Expert, and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Leadership Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator. Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Clubhouse: @karenlaosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/Episodes also available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos

Tangible Takeaways:Actively engage in conversations by asking open-ended questions and pausing to listen attentively.Imagine that everyone has a sign above their head that says, "Make me feel important." Use this perspective to show genuine interest in others.Start and end your sentences with confidence and clear articulation to engage your audience.Pay attention to your facial expressions, and smile! This way, you'll convey a positive and approachable demeanor.Avoid the "curse of knowledge" by tailoring your message to your audience's level of understanding.Incorporate storytelling into your communication to make your message more engaging. Remember to make them concise!About me:Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Leadership Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator.Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Clubhouse: @karenlaosEpisodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/

Tangible Takeaways:Look at all the rules that you've been handed, and ask: which of these do I want to keep carrying with me and which ones do I want to break?Your worth is not connected to achievement, success, or how your body looks. These rules create shame or make you feel “too much:A part of creating change and understanding the rules is calling them out, and then purposely start to break the ones that no longer work for you. You don't need to throw everything away, but you get to choose!Adopt an attitude of experimentation. Tell yourself “I'll just trying it out.” Shedding and choosing your own rules is not a permanent decision that has to be forever.About Heather:Heather Whelpley is a speaker, author of the award-winning book An Overachiever's Guide To Breaking The Rules: How To Let Go Of Perfect and Live Your Truth, and host of the podcast, Create Your Own Rules For Life. Her work focuses on galvanizing women to rediscover their voice, take up space, and unleash their authentic leadership - and life. Prior to becoming a speaker, Heather worked in a wide variety of HR and leadership development roles in the US, Australia, and Latin America. Her second book, Grounded Wildness, will be published this fall. Heather lives in Colorado where she enjoys hiking, exploring, and getting connected with her grounded and wild self!Connect with Heather:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heather.whelpley/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherwhelpley/About me:Karen Laos, Communication Expert, and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Leadership Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator.Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Clubhouse: @karenlaosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/Episodes also available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos

Tangible Takeaways:Communicating with clarity takes intention!Your audiences need structure to know where you're headed and what you're doing. Otherwise, they're going to get lost and tune out.When you start any message, whether it's a voice message, voicemail, or voice memo- front load it with why you're sharing it or what you want from the conversation.If you notice yourself rambling, stop, pause, and say aloud, “My point is this…” That will repair the rambling episode and make you appear more focused.When you're communicating with clarity, pausing is a beautiful skill to have. It shows control, people listen, and is directly linked to credibility.About me:Karen Laos, Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator, leverages 25 years in the boardroom and speaking on the world's most coveted stages such as Google and NASA to transform missed opportunities into wins. She is fiercely committed to her mission of eradicating self-doubt in 10 million women by giving them practical strategies to ask for what they want in the boardroom and beyond. She guides corporations and individuals with her tested communication model to generate consistent results through her Leadership Presence Keynote: How to Be an Influential Communicator.Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: https://karenlaos.lpages.co/words-to-avoid/Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial Facebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/Clubhouse: @karenlaosEpisodes also available on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videosMy book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/