How Over-Apologizing Undermines Your Authority at Work

Episode 29 of Workplace Wellbeing with Fexingo digs into a habit many of us don't notice: over-apologizing before we speak. Lucas and Luna unpack a 2024 study from the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology that found women in workplace meetings apologize up to 30% more often than men for the same situations—often for simple requests or opinions. They explore how phrases like 'Sorry to bother you' or 'This might be a dumb question' signal low status, reduce perceived competence, and can stall career growth. The hosts offer two practical swaps: replacing 'sorry' with 'thank you' (e.g., 'Thanks for your patience' instead of 'Sorry for the delay') and using a brief pause before speaking to avoid reflexive apologies. Tune in for a concrete, low-effort shift that can change how colleagues and managers perceive your confidence. #OverApologizing #WorkplaceAuthority #CareerConfidence #CommunicationSkills #PowerfulLanguage #WomenInTheWorkplace #ImposterSyndrome #MeetingEtiquette #VerbalHabits #ProfessionalDevelopment #SelfAdvocacy #PerceivedCompetence #StatusSignals #WorkplacePsychology #Careers #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #WorkplaceWellbeing Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo