From the course: Own Your Voice: Improve Presentations and Executive Presence

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Apologizers

Apologizers

- And now we're going to talk about apologizers. Much like qualifiers, apologizers can undermine your authority, but they do so more overtly. Some examples include I'm sorry, if it's okay with you, and up-speak. Up-speak is when you're sharing a declarative thought, but you do so in the form of a question. Here's an example. My name is Jackie. It's nice to meet you. Versus my name is Jackie. It's nice to meet you. An important note about apologizers, and qualifiers, for that matter. I'm not suggesting you never use them. If you do use them, do so consciously. It may help you to employ apologizers when delivering difficult news or perhaps managing up to a difficult boss. If you're using them unconsciously, that's when they will undercut your power and the value of what you are trying to communicate. But when used strategically, they can be a powerful communication tool. Here's a little professional tip I often share with clients when thinking about unnecessary apologies in written…

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