EPISODE · Jun 5, 2026 · 8 MIN
Why Women Apologize More at Work and How to Stop
from Women at Work with Fexingo: Gender, Leadership, and Career Conversations for Women · host Fexingo
Lucas and Luna explore the habit of over-apologizing among women in professional settings, backed by research from linguist Deborah Tannen. They discuss how phrases like 'sorry to bother you' or 'I hate to ask' undermine authority, and offer practical swaps like replacing 'sorry' with 'thank you.' The episode highlights a 2018 study from the Journal of Social Psychology showing women say sorry 37% more than men in workplace emails, and shares a real example from a Fexingo listener who cut her apology count by 80% using a simple rubber band trick. Luna challenges whether the burden should be on women to change, and Lucas acknowledges the systemic double bind. The episode ends with a forward-looking question about shifting workplace norms. #OverApologizing #WomenAtWork #CareerAdvice #CommunicationSkills #DeborahTannen #ImposterSyndrome #ProfessionalDevelopment #GenderBias #Leadership #LanguageAndPower #Confidence #WorkplaceCulture #WomenInBusiness #Careers #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #PodcastEpisode #WomenLeaders Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
What this episode covers
Lucas and Luna explore the habit of over-apologizing among women in professional settings, backed by research from linguist Deborah Tannen. They discuss how phrases like 'sorry to bother you' or 'I hate to ask' undermine authority, and offer practical swaps like replacing 'sorry' with 'thank you.' The episode highlights a 2018 study from the Journal of Social Psychology showing women say sorry 37% more than men in workplace emails, and shares a real example from a Fexingo listener who cut her apology count by 80% using a simple rubber band trick. Luna challenges whether the burden should be on women to change, and Lucas acknowledges the systemic double bind. The episode ends with a forward-looking question about shifting workplace norms. #OverApologizing #WomenAtWork #CareerAdvice #CommunicationSkills #DeborahTannen #ImposterSyndrome #ProfessionalDevelopment #GenderBias #Leadership #LanguageAndPower #Confidence #WorkplaceCulture #WomenInBusiness #Careers #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #PodcastEpisode #WomenLeaders Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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Why Women Apologize More at Work and How to Stop
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