Episodios

  • Say Goodbye to People Pleasing

    Say Goodbye to People Pleasing
    Jun 18 2025

    Ever wonder how you’ll ever stop people-pleasing and say yes to yourself instead? This episode is for you!

    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. 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.
    5. 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/karenlaosconsulting

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/

    Episodes also available on YouTube:

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos

    My book “Trust Your Own Voice”:

    https://karenlaos.com/book/
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    19 m
  • How to Think on Your Feet

    How to Think on Your Feet
    Jun 4 2025

    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/karenlaosconsulting

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/

    Episodes also available on YouTube:

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos

    My book “Trust Your Own Voice”:

    https://karenlaos.com/book/
    Más Menos
    15 m
  • 6 Tips to Influence Up & Advocate for Yourself at Work

    6 Tips to Influence Up & Advocate for Yourself at Work
    May 21 2025
    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...
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    25 m
  • 5 Communication Strategies for Handling Someone Who Talks Over You

    5 Communication Strategies for Handling Someone Who Talks Over You
    May 7 2025

    5 Communication Strategies for Handling Someone Who Interrupts or Talks Over You

    1. Hold 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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. 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.
    5. 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/karenlaosconsulting

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/

    Episodes also available on YouTube:

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos

    My book “Trust Your Own Voice”:

    https://karenlaos.com/book/
    Más Menos
    16 m
  • 5 Tips for Empathy at Work

    5 Tips for Empathy at Work
    Apr 23 2025

    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 Work

    1. Practice 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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. 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.
    5. 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/karenlaosconsulting

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/

    Episodes also available on YouTube:

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos

    My book “Trust Your Own Voice”:

    https://karenlaos.com/book/
    Más Menos
    14 m
  • 5 Ways to Advance Your Career

    5 Ways to Advance Your Career
    Apr 9 2025

    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!

    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. 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.
    5. 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/karenlaosconsulting

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/

    Episodes also available on YouTube:

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos

    My book “Trust Your Own Voice”:

    https://karenlaos.com/book/
    Más Menos
    19 m
  • Your Communication Blind Spots

    Your Communication Blind Spots
    Mar 26 2025

    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/karenlaosconsulting

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/

    Episodes also available on YouTube:

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos

    My book “Trust Your Own Voice”:

    https://karenlaos.com/book/
    Más Menos
    19 m
  • 10 Tips to Calm Your Nerves

    10 Tips to Calm Your Nerves
    Mar 12 2025

    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 content

    Tip 2: Say “I’m so excited” instead of “I’m so nervous”

    Tip 3: Breathe and do the Navy Seals box breathing

    Tip 4: Sing your favorite song

    Tip 5: Rock back and forth or side to side

    Tip 6: Tap yourself lightly on the arms and legs

    Tip 7: Stretch

    Tip 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 song

    Tip 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/karenlaosconsulting

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/

    Episodes also available on YouTube:

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos

    My book “Trust Your Own Voice”:

    https://karenlaos.com/book/
    Más Menos
    18 m