How To Speak

58% don't negotiate their starting salary Credit to: Ashley Couto Original post below: ? ? ? 58% don't negotiate their starting salary Here’s how to do it well: You just got a new job offer, woo! Don’t pop the champers just yet… A majority of people fail at negotiating starting salary. They: - Don’t consider long-term implications - Think they need a second offer as leverage - Accept the first offer right away Here’s what to do instead: 1/ Decide to ask for more ? Most people don't have the courage to ask ? Don't be one of those people ?? Companies don't give best and final outright. 2/ Set a walk-away point ? Know your absolute low for salary & perks ? Make it a little higher than what feels "safe" ??You are more qualified than you think you are. 3/ Start with gratitude & enthusiasm ? Gratitude is always good business ? Enthusiasm reminds them you’re a good fit ??Be grateful, but remember: You're making THEM money. 4/ Let them know it’s below market value ? Arm yourself with information ? Lets them know you’ve done your research ??Make sure you also include benefits if they’re lacking. 5/ Clearly state your value-add ? Think back to your interviews ? What are you adding that they don't have? ??Focuses on prior successes & future value. 6/ Give them a specific number ? Use Fair Comp & other sites to find comps ? State your number clearly ??Ask for more than your "ideal" to leave negotiating room; 7/ Use urgency to get it done ? Companies don’t want to leave you open to offers ? You have the negotiating power ??Use “end of day” or “mid-day tomorrow” cutoff. I’ve given you a template of exactly what to say in the carousel. Join my newsletter (link in comments) to get a copy of this and all my carousels & cheatsheets. Did you negotiate for a higher starting salary? ______________ Lost for words? How To Speak will help you find them and own them.

What Introverts wish leaders said in meetings: 6 insanely simple + powerful tips to get the most out of the WHOLE team Credit to: Steven Claes Original post below: ? ? ? What Introverts wish leaders said in meetings: 6 insanely simple + powerful tips to get the most out of the WHOLE team Too often, Introversion is seen as something to be ‘overcome’. Introverts are told by well-meaning mentors, ‘Try to speak up more!’ It starts from an early age. Children who are a bit quieter - who hang back and check things out before rushing in - get treated as if they need to be ‘fixed’.? ? “Don’t be shy,” grownups say to children. Or they apologise to other grownups, “I’m sorry, she’s shy.” ?? Actually, being careful is a great survival instinct! In the workplace, Introverts have superpowers: ? Words that are more considered, and have more impact ? Great observers of others ? Not wasting anyone’s time with half-baked thoughts ? Often prefer doing to talking Most Extraverts still don’t know how to get the best out of the Introverts on their team. And that’s why these practical tips from Dora Vanourek are so great. What’s been your experience? ______________ Lost for words? How To Speak will help you find them and own them.

What are your thoughts? Credit to Charlie Lass ______________ Lost for words? How To Speak will help you find them and own them.

How to Speak So That People Listen to You The 10-Second Rule Credit to: Steven Claes Original post below: ? ? ? How to Speak So That People Listen to You The 10-Second Rule Ever shared a great idea, only to be met with silence? Meanwhile, someone else says something similar - and everyone listens. Here’s the truth: People don’t listen to what’s important. They listen to what’s clear, compelling, and concise. Master the 10-Second Rule and get heard! 1. Deliver your main idea within 10 seconds. ? The brain filters out complexity to save energy. ? Clarity lowers cognitive load, easier to process. ? Clarity wins. Try this: ?? "So, the other day I was thinking about..." ? "We’re losing leads because emails aren’t personalized. Here’s how to fix it." 2. Use their name - it grabs attention. ? The brain focuses when it hears its name. Try this: ?? "I have an idea." ? "David, here’s a strategy that could work." 3. Lower your voice slightly for emphasis. ? A deeper, slower voice signals authority. Try this: Lower your pitch and slow down on key points. 4. Pause after key points - let them land. ? Silence makes words feel weightier. Try this: Stop talking after key points. Let silence do the work. 5. Look for nods or engagement before continuing. ? Conversations, not monologues, hold attention. Try this: If people look confused, pause and ask, "Would an example help?" 6. Use short, clear sentences. ? The brain tunes out complex wording. ? Simplicity keeps people engaged. Try this: ?? "We need to streamline our processes to improve efficiency and reduce bottlenecks." ? "We need to simplify our workflow. Let’s focus on 3 key areas." 7. Make it about them, not you. ? People care about their priorities, not yours. Try this: ?? "I think this is a great idea." ? "This will help you hit your Q2 targets faster." 8. Speak as if telling a story. ? Stories stick - facts don’t. Try this: ?? "Customer satisfaction dropped 10% last quarter." ? "Last quarter, 100 customers didn’t get a resolution in time. Here’s what changed." 9. Pause for 2 seconds before speaking. ? Signals confidence. ? Prevents rushing or hesitation. Try this: Count “1, 2, 3…” in your head before speaking. Confident speakers make it easy for others to understand them… and that’s power. Which of these resonated most with you? Share in the comments. ______________ Lost for words? How To Speak will help you find them and own them.

7 ways to respond to disrespect Credit to: Matt Schnuck Original post below: ? ? ? In tense moments, your response shifts the entire dynamic. 8 effective ways to respond to disrespect: When you receive a disrespectful comment, you should first pause for 10 seconds before responding. This brief silence forces the other person to sit with their words while you stay composed and in control. When you do respond, you can calmly: ?? Assert your values. ?? Communicate your self-worth. ?? Set clear boundaries. Examples of confident responses: ?? Finish your thought when interrupted. ?? Acknowledge your contributions when overlooked. ?? Request respect in response to demeaning comments. ?? Advocate for your ideas when dismissed. These aren’t just words, they’re tools to reinforce your values and flip the dynamic. Calm, confident responses lead to respect and stronger relationships. How do you handle disrespect? ?? Repost this to share with anyone trying to be a better leader. ______________ Lost for words? How To Speak will help you find them and own them.

9 things i’ve stopped saying at work Credit to: Jade Bonacolta Original post below: ? ? ? Ever notice how people say “sorry” all the time… for things that don't need an apology? Our words create our reality. The more we unnecessarily apologize, the less confidence we subconsciously show. (It also dilutes an apology when you *do* owe one.) Here are 9 things I've stopped saying at work (and what to say instead): ——— 1. Sorry for rescheduling. → Thanks for being flexible! 2. Sorry to bother you. → Thanks for carving out time. 3. Sorry for venting. → Thanks for listening. 4. Sorry for running late. → Thanks so much for waiting. 5. Sorry I had to take that call. → Thanks for your patience! 6. Sorry for jumping in. → I have an idea that may help. 7. Sorry for the mistake. → Thank for catching that! 8. Sorry, I don’t get it. → Could you repeat that? I just want to be clear. 9. Sorry, does that make sense? → I’m happy to answer any questions! ——— These reframes are extremely powerful. But how do we build the habit? The first step is awareness. Ask a friend, loved one, or coworker to interrupt you: “Why did you say sorry?” ?? That’s your cue to rephrase it with a “thank you for…” The best part? That gratitude will set the tone for the rest of your conversation. ——— ?? If you found this helpful, repost it so others can make this mindset shift too. ______________ Lost for words? How To Speak will help you find them and own them.

Over-apologizing is sabotaging your success. Credit to: Matt Schnuck Original post below: ? ? ? Over-apologizing is sabotaging your success. How to stop saying sorry: Ever find yourself saying “sorry” for things like delays, mistakes, or even asking a question? It might seem polite, but over-apologizing can undermine your confidence and credibility. ? Instead of “sorry,” focus on: ? Providing updates, not apologies. ? Turning mistakes into opportunities. ? Showing gratitude instead of guilt. ? Communicating confidently and setting boundaries. ? Accepting feedback without over-apologizing. ?? A small shift in language can make a big difference. Speak with confidence and let your professionalism shine. ?? When an apology isn’t necessary, what do you say instead of sorry? ?? Repost this to share with anyone chasing their dreams. ______________ Lost for words? How To Speak will help you find them and own them.

How high performers say they're sorry Credit to: Lucas Bean Original post below: ? ? ? How to practice extreme ownership: (and say sorry less often) People say 'sorry' way too much in life The value of a sorry means nothing now You know what does have value? Owning it I used to say sorry for everything. Even when it wasn't my fault: ? I'm sorry you have to get up ? I'm sorry you didn't like your choice ? I'm sorry you have to restart your computer ?? Over-apologizing hurts our credibility. Here's how high performers handle apologies and maintain respect: Asking Questions ? Sorry if this is stupid ? I'd like some clarity on... Can't Attend ? Sorry I can't make it ? I have a previous commitment Making Requests ? Sorry to bother you ? When you have a moment... Setting Boundaries ? Sorry, but I need... ? Here's what works for me Running Late ? Sorry I'm late ? Thanks for your patience Small Mistakes ? Sorry about that ? I'll fix this right away Following Up ? Sorry to bug you ? I'm following up on our discussion During meetings ? Sorry to interrupt ? I have something to add Asking for Feedback ? Sorry if I did this wrong ? I'd like your feedback on this Getting Feedback ? Sorry I messed up ? Thanks for the feedback Getting Attention ? Sorry for talking so much ? Thank you for listening Missing A Deadlines (don't miss deadlines is easier) ? Sorry for the delay ? I appreciate your flexibility Save "sorry" only when its truly needed. Your words have meaning. Your words shape how you are perceived Choose your words wisely. _____ P.S. Which phrase would help you grow your career? ?? Repost to help your network elevate their performance! ______________ Lost for words? How To Speak will help you find them and own them.

What if I told you that your leadership could be silently sabotaging your team's trust? Credit to: Steven Claes Original post below: ? ? ? What if I told you that your leadership could be silently sabotaging your team's trust? Leadership isn't just about words. It's about what you do. Are your actions matching your words? Think about it. We've all had bosses who say one thing but do another. It hurts.? It makes us not trust them. But great leaders? They walk the talk. When you lead by example, people notice. They feel inspired.? They want to follow you. It's not always easy.? But it's worth it. Here are some ways to make sure your actions speak as loud as your words: ??Help others, even when no one's watching ??Listen more than you speak ??Stay calm under pressure ??Do what you say you'll do ??Admit when you're wrong And here's what to avoid: ?? Ignoring feedback ??Making promises you can't keep ?? Blaming others for your mistakes ?? Asking others to do things you wouldn't do yourself Remember, your team is always watching. They learn from what you do, not just what you say. Let your actions inspire trust and positivity in everyone around you! ?? So, what message are your actions sending today? ______________ Lost for words? How To Speak will help you find them and own them.

Your words determine your reputation at work. Credit to: Matt Schnuck Original post below: ? ? ? Your words determine your reputation at work. 10 ways to be mindful with words: It’s not just about what you do—it’s about how you communicate. Certain phrases, even when unintentional, can send the wrong message about your accountability, competence, or willingness to collaborate. They quietly erode trust and credibility over time. Instead of deflecting, doubting yourself, or dismissing others, aim for language that reflects ownership, curiosity, and a problem-solving mindset. The best communicators don’t just avoid harmful phrases—they actively choose words that build trust, collaboration, and show reliability. Remember: Your reputation isn’t built in a day, but it can be weakened with a single sentence. Choose your words wisely. What phrases have you noticed can hurt or help professional relationships? Let’s discuss.?? ? Repost to help someone level up their communication. ______________ Lost for words? How To Speak will help you find them and own them.