How to Be More Assertive: Speak Up, Stop Apologizing, and Build Confidence

Ever leave a conversation thinking "I should have said that"? Julie DeLucca-Collins breaks down why women default to silence, why confidence is the outcome of assertiveness rather than a prerequisite, and the exact language shift, starting with banning "I'm sorry," that can change how you show up in every conversation.Long description (SEO-optimized): Confidence and assertiveness are deeply connected, but not in the order most people think. In this episode of Brave Moves, Julie DeLucca-Collins explains why we don't wait to feel confident before speaking up — confidence is actually the result of taking assertive action, not the thing that comes first.Julie unpacks why so many women default to people-pleasing and silence in the moment, then find the perfect words hours later, and shares a personal story about asking for a promotion and raise that changed her own default mode. She also breaks down practical language shifts inspired in part by Jefferson Fisher's book The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More, including her client rule against defaulting to "I'm sorry," swapping apology for gratitude, and cutting unnecessary filler words that dilute your message.This episode explores:Why confidence is the outcome of assertiveness, not the prerequisiteHow people-pleasing quietly costs you opportunities to speak upThe "no sorry" rule and what to say insteadHow filler words and adverbs undermine your messageOne brave move to practice todayIf you loved this episode, text me and let me know what you though. Support the showJoin the CommunityBrave Moves is a daily confidence and personal growth podcast for ambitious women, women entrepreneurs, and leaders who are ready to overcome self-doubt, build resilience, and take bold action in business and life. Each short, practical episode blends mindset science, decision-making psychology, and real-life stories to help you strengthen your confidence, rewire negative thought patterns, and create meaningful forward momentum.If you are navigating career pivots, burnout, reinvention, or leadership growth, Brave Moves gives you the tools to think differently, act bravely, and design a future aligned with your values and vision. Because confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build, one brave move at a time.Liked this episode? Share it with your midlife woman, entrepreneur friends!Love this show? Let us know how we helped you increase your confidence by leaving a review.For more about me and what I do, check out my website.If you’re looking for support to grow your business faster, be positioned as an authority in your industry, and impact the masses, schedule a call to explore if you’d be a good fit for one of my coaching programs.Fo...