The words you choose shape more than your message—they shape your confidence, influence, and leadership presence.
In this episode, Karen explores how positive language strengthens communication and leadership impact. Many accomplished professionals unintentionally weaken their message by focusing on problems, hesitation, or what could go wrong.
You’ll learn simple shifts to speak toward outcomes, replace problem-focused language with solutions, and build stronger self-trust through the words you use every day—elevating both your executive presence and leadership communication.
Speak toward what you want, not what you fear.
Direct your language toward the desired outcome instead of focusing on what could go wrong.
Replace problem language with possibility language.
Acknowledge challenges without amplifying negativity. Focus on solutions and forward movement.
Positive language builds self-trust.
Your words shape how you see yourself. Speak with clarity and ownership instead of hesitation.
Positive communication elevates leadership presence.
Leaders who use solution-focused language create psychological safety and stronger collaboration.
Positivity is contagious.
The emotional tone leaders set through their words influences creativity, engagement, and team culture.
If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review on Amazon or wherever you listen. Your reviews help more people find the show and start communicating with greater confidence and ease.
Some resources for you:
Get 3 Strategies to Speak Up in Meetings here.
Project more confidence and credibility with my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: Words to Avoid | Karen Laos
My book “Trust Your Own Voice”: https://karenlaos.com/book/
Connect with me:
Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial
Episodes also available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos
About 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 silence 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.
Get my free tips: 9 Words to Avoid & What to Say Instead: Words to Avoid | Karen Laos
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”: