Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos

Tangible Takeaways: Keep in mind: it's not personal. It’s about them and what they’re trying to say. This is why understanding communication styles is important. Your basic personality should not have to change when you walk through the doors at work or log in to Zoom. You have permission to be you! When we adapt and pivot for other's communication styles, this is not about changing who you are, b...

There I was, in a yoga class, working hard to configure myself into the instructed pose. I glanced at the woman beside me in awe: how is she doing that with her body?  Wow. At first, I was immediately jealous. Then, I was inspired. I want to be able to do that!  Can you relate?  Learn how I was able to pivot from jealousy to inspiration and get four practical tips on how you can do the same. Tangi...

Tangible Takeaways: Think bigger - we can always do better than where we are. It doesn't matter what we do or how much progress we made (or lack thereof) there's always better. Avoid settling It doesn't matter how low you are, you can do what is in your heart.  When you're in the midst of it, it is a time to dig deep, do the internal work. You have to picture yourself as successful and not speak d...

 Tangible Takeaways: Remember, when communicating, we deliver a feeling behind our words. People can feel what we’re saying. Gratitude recognizes that your heart is beating and you’re breathing. Breath is the oxygen of your life, your soul, reminding you that you’re breathing. You’re alive. Know your belief system. Everybody believes in something.  Get up and show up for the work you promised to d...

Tangible Takeaways: Confidence has so much to do with clarity: be clear about where you stand on things and who you are. With clarity in hand, confidence is soon to follow. Stand in your power - no longer abandon yourself in service to other people. Avoid taking all feedback as direction and advice. You’re allowed to be selective on what feedback you’ll take into consideration. We have been taught...

1. How does a mom get what she wants on Mother’s Day? Ask! First, though you have to decide. What do you truly want? What would make it the best mother’s day for you? So many women hold back from asking because they want other people to be happy first. We’re culturally conditioned to please others first – especially as mom’s, so this is the time to claim your desires and ask. SInce 40% of mothers...

Tangible Takeaways: You have just one life, how do you want to live it? Be intentional and design the life you want. Make choices unapologetically. Dictate your value and your self-worth. Your confidence has to come from within rather than the outside world. View your life through the lens of possibility, it changes everything. Embrace the power of coffee chats, you never know when that connection...

Tangible Takeaways: Get out a piece of paper and write down the top three things that you want to do with your life: get it out of your head and on paper. Make your goals visual! This may be as simple as putting them on a Post-it note on your mirror-the goal is to keep them in front of you. Work in such a way that you know you did your best! Surround yourself with women that are strong and confide...

Tangible Takeaways: What's the worst that could happen when you speak up versus when you don't speak up? Even if you’re rejected, it’s ok! A “no” is simply that, a “no.” You can't change the past. Focus instead on what type of life you want in your future. Resist the urge to be a victim of your circumstances, and make a conscious decision to be a victor. Believe in something bigger than yourself,...

Tangible Takeaways: Learning how to lead begins with the willingness and ability to follow. You learn the good and the bad by watching others, and that shapes you as a leader! Listening is a powerful tool: you’ll learn more by listening and paying attention. Remember: there is so much to be learned by embracing the journey. Everything may not be falling into place as fast as you’d like, but every...

Tangible Takeaways: Eye contact is critical for connection. Every time we communicate we have a powerful opportunity to connect with a tool most of us have: our eyes. If we don’t make eye contact when communicating or listening, we create a barrier for connection. When communicating 1:1, we make eye contact on average 7-9 seconds, when speaking to a large group, aim to make eye contact for approxi...

Tangible Takeaways: Be courageous and share your story. You have a story worth sharing even when you believe your life isn't interesting enough. The first step of sharing your story is identifying your breakthrough story. What was the turning point? Know your why, and own it. Show how your why has shaped your story and who you are today. Understand the cycle of abuse, and be aware that it's not si...

Tangible Takeaways: Remember: we’re accountable for our own actions. When the blame game begins, pause and look at yourself and ask, “What do I need to own in this, or see as something that I have control over?” Grab a piece of paper and draw a line down the middle, and on one side write down what you can control, and on the other what you can’t control. This is an eye-opening exercise! Allow your...

Tangible Takeaways: Part of becoming a great leader requires understanding your unique skills and experiences to help relate to others and create the most impact. To close the gaps that exist in representation across all industries we need to collaborate  and fight together to make it more equitable. Women face a lot of external and internal barriers in the workplace, and one way to push back is t...

Tangible Takeaways: Never underestimate the power of research and knowledge. If you have a need or question, seek to find the answer! It may be your path out of a dark place. Set your own boundaries and own them with confidence and grace. Be aware of love bombing: right when the abuser is aware they’re losing control, they’ll shower the victim with love and affection. It’s a tactic to keep them cl...

Tangible Takeaways: Assume you have permission to lead: step out and go for it! Speak with conviction, and have a declarative tone. People will take you seriously if you sound confident. Punctuate your words when you speak! We do this naturally when writing an email. It’s the same when we speak. End with a period, and pause. Have a strong handshake and make direct eye contact. This is equally as i...

Tangible Takeaways: Remember where people pleasing often comes from -  desiring for everything and everyone to be ok. First, acknowledge that you’re stuck in an accommodation cycle. When people give you something or compliment you, receive it with gratitude. Own what you want - it’s ok to ask for what you want! No is a complete sentence that doesn’t require an explanation. Practice saying no diplo...

Tangible Takeaways: Speak louder - when we speak louder, it takes intention and attention to do this, forcing you to slow down and articulate.  When you speak, open up your mouth bigger. This may feel strange, but often mumbling comes from a closed-off mouth. Practice the pause and speak slower. This helps with clarity. Breathe intentionally. It supports the strength of your voice. Speak in sound...

How do you accomplish this? Everything comes down to how you prepare and position yourself, from mindset, body posture, and the words you say. Listen to how you can prepare for your next negotiation through my mistakes and successes, and walk into your next negotiation with unshakable confidence. Tangible Takeaways: Before you begin to negotiate with anyone, you have to know what you want first. A...

Kelley shares why burnout is a betrayal and how to recognize the symptoms in yourself and others. Listen to how businesses can protect employees from burnout and embrace small steps to transform an impossible situation.   Tangible Takeaways: The three symptoms of burnout are: overwhelming physical exhaustion, feelings of cynicism, and decreased ability to do things you love. Burnout feels like a c...

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” tha...

Heather Fison has been with me from the very beginning and helped create the structure of this podcast. I have valued her feedback along the journey and her ongoing support. She shares her favorite episodes and the impact they have had on her career, and how you can apply the same tips to your life.  Dani Hamlet has been my podcast editor for the last year, and she shares her biggest takeaways fro...

Tangible Takeaways: Remember my wise friend’s words: “Being triggered is an opportunity to grow and learn about yourself” Spend some time to know what triggers you, and go deeper into why. This is an essential first step to handling these situations. Avoid responding right away, create space between your trigger and your reaction. Ask yourself if you're being direct: often we communicate passively...

In today’s episode, Terri shares how she gave herself the freedom to be the boss in her own way. Listen and learn how Terri’s self-taught entrepreneurial spirit led her to build her own business and overcome obstacles  - one baby step at a time. Tangible Takeaways: When you feel overwhelmed, focus on the baby steps. After each small step, the next one becomes easier. Focus on serving people. This...

As you prepare to give feedback, remember that your perceived idea of potential conflict is fiction until it becomes fact. Not all potential conflicts are actually conflicts, and you may be spending a lot of energy preparing (or avoiding) a conflict that isn't there. I share tactical ways you can prepare and deliver feedback in a way that avoids conflict as much as possible. You have the power to...