Becoming Your Own Best Advocate: Strategies To Elevate Yourself (with Laura Colón)
Are you your own best advocate? In this episode, Laura Colón, VP of Sales and Alliances at Vonage, shares her personal journey of overcoming self-doubt and imposter syndrome, self-promoting both internally and externally, and building a personal brand to advance her career. 02:07 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome 04:15 Embracing a Growth Mindset 05:48 Building a Personal Brand for Career Advancement 11:54 Leverating Mentorship and Sponsorship for Growth 16:58 Self-Promotion Strategies 27:04 Career Sacrifices and Defining Moments 28:35 Communicating Your Value 31:24 Handling Pushback and Disagreements 35:20 Encouraging a Speak Up Team Culture 41:03 Life-changing Skill of Saying No 46:04 Open to Work: Beyond the Label Podcast 52:09 Final Thoughts and Takeaways ✅ Free Newsletter: https://assertiveway.com/newsletter/ ✅ Connect with Laura Colón https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralynncolon/ Open to Work: Beyond the Label podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/open-to-work-beyond-the-label/id1809899342 ✅ Take the Quiz 'Do You Speak Like a High-Impact Leader?': https://myassertiveway.outgrow.us/highimpactleader ✅ Listen on the Speak Your Mind Unapologetically podcast on Apple Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915 ✅ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6L1myPkiJXYf5SGrublYz2 ✅ Order our book, ‘Unapologetic Voice: 101 Real-World Strategies for Brave Self Advocacy & Bold Leadership’ where each strategy is also a real story: https://www.amazon.com/Unapologetic-Voice-Real-World-Strategies-Leadership-ebook/dp/B0CW2X4WWL/ ✅ Follow the show host, Ivna Curi, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2/ ✅ Request A Customized Workshop For Your Team And Company: http://assertiveway.com/workshops Contact me: [email protected] or [email protected] Contact me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2 ✅ Support The Podcast Rate the podcast on apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915
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Assertive or Aggressive? 20 Mindset Shifts That Change Everything
How can you be bold without being a bully? If you have ever been told you’re “too much” when you speak up, or worried about being seen as rude, pushy, or bossy when you advocate for yourself, this episode is for you. Assertive communication starts with belief. Let’s upgrade yours. Discover the surprising 20 mindset differences between Assertive vs. Aggressive communication so you can speak with confidence and be respected. You’ll learn: ✔️How assertive people think differently ✔️Common aggressive beliefs that sabotage your influence ✔️Simple mindset shifts to become more respected, persuasive, and heard ✔️How to own your voice without overpowering others ✔️What makes assertiveness the secret to long-term leadership and career success ✅ Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2/ ✅ Contact me: https://assertiveway.com/contact/ ✅ Take the Quiz 'Do You Speak Like a High-Impact Leader?': https://myassertiveway.outgrow.us/highimpactleader ✅ Free Newsletter: https://assertiveway.com/newsletter/ ✅ Listen on the Speak Your Mind Unapologetically podcast on Apple Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915 ✅ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6L1myPkiJXYf5SGrublYz2 ✅ Order our book, ‘Unapologetic Voice: 101 Real-World Strategies for Brave Self Advocacy & Bold Leadership’ where each strategy is also a real story: https://www.amazon.com/Unapologetic-Voice-Real-World-Strategies-Leadership-ebook/dp/B0CW2X4WWL/ ✅ Follow the show host, Ivna Curi, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2/ ✅ Request A Customized Workshop For Your Team And Company: http://assertiveway.com/workshops Contact me: [email protected] or [email protected] Contact me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2 ✅ Support The Podcast Rate the podcast on apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915
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How to Stop Being the Best-Kept Secret at Work (with Sandra Dorsey)
What’s the worst career advice you’ve received? Cybersecurity GRC Risk Manager Sandra Dorsey discusses her worst career advice and how she learned the importance of self-promotion, negotiating for oneself, dealing with confusing feedback, and advocating for others in the corporate world. Sandra shares her journey from following advice to 'keep her head down' to realizing the need for visibility and networking. She shares how she learned to value vocalizing your achievements, understanding feedback, and evolving your communication style. 01:03 Great Work Doesn’t Speak For Itself 01:40 Heads Down to Visibility and Networking 05:47 Overcoming the Fear of Self-Promotion and Posting on LinkedIn 12:25 Negotiating for Yourself in the Workplace, Even If You Fail 19:09 What to Do When You Receive Confusing Feedback 25:02 Proactively Seeking Constructive Feedback 26:58 Advocating for Others 31:44 Bold Career Moves 39:57 Encouraging Team Communication ✅ Free Newsletter: https://assertiveway.com/newsletter/ ✅ About Sandra Dorsey Sandra is a Cybersecurity Risk Professional with 15+ years of experience at the intersection of governance, risk, and compliance — protecting what matters, while building teams and trust along the way. From navigating the complexities of third-party risk to leading cross-functional cyber assessments in government contracting environments, she translates security into strategy and compliance into confidence. Sandra is a current Woman of Impact committee member with Girls Inc. of Greater Washington, DC and a board member with The Champs Champ where she supports STEM education for both organizations. Cybersecurity and outreach are very important to Sandra, but what she loves the most is spending time with her teenage and adult children. As a family, they spend time hiking, kayaking, roller skating, and keeping active. linkedin.com/in/sandradorsey ✅ Take the Quiz 'Do You Speak Like a High-Impact Leader?': https://myassertiveway.outgrow.us/highimpactleader ✅ Listen on the Speak Your Mind Unapologetically podcast on Apple Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915 ✅ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6L1myPkiJXYf5SGrublYz2 ✅ Order our book, ‘Unapologetic Voice: 101 Real-World Strategies for Brave Self Advocacy & Bold Leadership’ where each strategy is also a real story: https://www.amazon.com/Unapologetic-Voice-Real-World-Strategies-Leadership-ebook/dp/B0CW2X4WWL/ ✅ Follow the show host, Ivna Curi, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2/ ✅ Request A Customized Workshop For Your Team And Company: http://assertiveway.com/workshops Contact me: [email protected] or [email protected] Contact me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2 ✅ Support The Podcast Rate the podcast on apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915
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Want to Be a Better Ally — And Find Allies Too? Start Here (with Wendi O'Neill)
In this episode, we delve into the critical role of allyship in the workplace with Wendy O'Neill, Head of Business Development at CDW, who shares her personal experiences and practical strategies for becoming a better ally. Wendy discusses how to recognize and support colleagues whose voices are often unheard, how to foster allyship within a team, and the powerful impact of situational awareness in meetings. She also talks about leading by example, addressing unconscious biases, and building relationships with allies who are different from us. The episode concludes with actionable tips for advocating for oneself and others, creating an inclusive and high-performing team culture. 01:27 The Power of Allyship in Building Confidence and Careers 08:43 How to Be A Great Ally (Practical Tips) 10:52 The Best Way To Support Overlooked Voices In Meetings 17:49 The Right Way to Ask An Ally For Support in Meetings 19:49 The Secret to Transform Conflict into Allyship 25:11 Tips to Encourage Your Team to Speak Up 27:51 How to Create a Culture of Allyship in Your Team and Company 37:45 Final Thoughts on Allyship ✅ About Wendi O'Neill Wendi O’Neill is the Head of Business Development for CDW’s Digital Velocity (DV) division, where she leads high-performing teams focused on helping organizations navigate digital transformation through modern technology practices. Wendi holds a Master’s degree in Leadership and Innovation from the University of Queensland and serves as Vice Chair of CDW’s Women’s Opportunity Network. A champion for mentorship and strong leadership representation, Wendi is committed to fostering the next generation of changemakers in tech. ✅ Take the Quiz 'Do You Speak Like a High-Impact Leader?': https://myassertiveway.outgrow.us/highimpactleader ✅ Free Newsletter: https://assertiveway.com/newsletter/ ✅ Listen on the Speak Your Mind Unapologetically podcast on Apple Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915 ✅ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6L1myPkiJXYf5SGrublYz2 ✅ Order our book, ‘Unapologetic Voice: 101 Real-World Strategies for Brave Self Advocacy & Bold Leadership’ where each strategy is also a real story: https://www.amazon.com/Unapologetic-Voice-Real-World-Strategies-Leadership-ebook/dp/B0CW2X4WWL/ ✅ Follow the show host, Ivna Curi, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2/ ✅ Request A Customized Workshop For Your Team And Company: http://assertiveway.com/workshops Contact me: [email protected] or [email protected] Contact me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2 ✅ Support The Podcast Rate the podcast on apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915
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12 Polite Phrases That Destroy Trust and Connection (And What To Say Instead)
"With all due respect..." "I understand how you feel." "That's an interesting idea" "Noted." Sometimes the nicest words can feel dismissive and silence people. Find out small changes you can make for people to feel heard and encouraged to speak up. 00:00 Introduction: Polite Phrases That Destroy Trust 05:11 Phrase 1: 'I Understand How You Feel' 07:39 Phrase 2: 'I'll Take That Into Consideration' 09:56 Phrase 3: 'With All Due Respect' 11:21 Phrase 4: 'Devil's Advocate' 12:59 Phrase 5: 'Noted' 14:16 Phrase 6: 'Thanks for Your Input' 15:36 Phrase 7: 'That's an Interesting Idea' 17:12 Phrase 8: 'Let's Agree to Disagree' 18:40 Phrase 9: 'Let's Circle Back on This' 19:26 Phrase 10: 'This is Company Policy' 20:42 Phrase 11 and 12: 'No Offense, But' 'I don't want to be Difficult, But' 23:37 Addressing Common Concerns and Questions 34:32 Conclusion: Choose Better Words to Build Trust ✅ Take the Quiz 'Do You Speak Like a High-Impact Leader?': https://myassertiveway.outgrow.us/highimpactleader ✅ Free Newsletter: https://assertiveway.com/newsletter/ ✅ Listen on the Speak Your Mind Unapologetically podcast on Apple Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915 ✅ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6L1myPkiJXYf5SGrublYz2 ✅ Order our book, ‘Unapologetic Voice: 101 Real-World Strategies for Brave Self Advocacy & Bold Leadership’ where each strategy is also a real story: https://www.amazon.com/Unapologetic-Voice-Real-World-Strategies-Leadership-ebook/dp/B0CW2X4WWL/ ✅ Follow the show host, Ivna Curi, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2/ ✅ Request A Customized Workshop For Your Team And Company: http://assertiveway.com/workshops Contact me: [email protected] or [email protected] Contact me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2 ✅ Support The Podcast Rate the podcast on apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915
Speak Your Mind Unapologetically is the leadership communication podcast for people leaders — managers, directors, and VPs — who want to speak up, lead bold conversations, and influence outcomes that matter.
Whether you're addressing conflict, delivering feedback, leading meetings, or navigating difficult conversations, this podcast gives you practical strategies to:
👉🏼 Communicate with clarity, confidence, and conviction=
👉🏼 Influence decisions and build trust across functions
👉🏼 Speak up under pressure — without sounding aggressive or backing down
👉🏼 Encourage your team to share ideas, concerns, and feedback
👉🏼 Tackle conflict, disagreement, and misalignment early and effectively
You’ll hear insights, frameworks, and stories from real workplaces — all designed to help you grow your leadership impact through communication.
🎙 With 400+ episodes, the Speak Your Mind Unapologetically Podcast is trusted by people leaders across Fortune 500s, healthcare, tech, startups, and global organizations.
ABOUT THE HOST
Ivna Curi is a Fortune 500 speaker, TEDx speaker, and host of the Speak Your Mind Unapologetically Podcast. She's a Forbes contributor, author of Unapologetic Voice, and founder of the Assertive Way Institute. A former corporate leader with an MBA from INSEAD and over 20,000 leaders trained, Ivna brings global experience and real-world strategies that help leaders drive results through bold communication.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Assertive Way Institute helps organizations empower people leaders to lead bold conversations, influence outcomes, and build courageous speak-up cultures. Our workshops and talks help people leaders become confident, clear communicators — and turn workplace communication into a competitive advantage.
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