How to Stop Apologizing Before You Speak at Work

Do you start sentences with 'Sorry, but...' or preface every idea with 'This might be wrong, but...'? In this episode, Lucas and Luna unpack the hidden career cost of anticipatory apologies and self-deprecating prefaces. Drawing on research from linguist Deborah Tannen and a 2023 survey by the professional coaching platform Bravely, they explore how habitual over-apologizing and hedging language can subtly undermine your authority, lower your perceived competence, and even reduce your chances of promotion. Lucas shares three concrete swaps he made after noticing his own language patterns: replacing 'Sorry to bother you' with 'Do you have a moment?', substituting 'I think' with 'I believe', and cutting the word 'just' from request sentences. Luna points out the gender dynamics at play, referencing a 2019 study from the Journal of Language and Social Psychology that found women are more likely to use hedging language in mixed-gender meetings. The hosts also discuss practical triggers for shifting your verbal habits, including a simple 'pre-talk pause' and accountability buddies. If you've ever caught yourself apologizing for an opinion, this episode offers actionable steps to communicate with clarity and confidence. #WorkplaceCommunication #ImpostorSyndrome #ProfessionalConfidence #ApologizingAtWork #HedgingLanguage #CareerGrowth #VerbalHabits #DeborahTannen #BravelySurvey #GenderBias #LeadershipPresence #AssertiveCommunication #MindfulSpeaking #CareerDevelopment #SelfAdvocacy #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #WorkplaceWellbeing Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo