Forget the Apologies & Learn to Lead with Confidence
Apologies are confidence killers. So, why do women apologise all the time?
From managers to CEOs, Professor Maja has heard women at all levels of leadership apologise for absolutely no reason, making themselves seem weak and lacking confidence. It frustrates her so much that she has dedicated her career to helping women speak with confidence to hold their power and credibility.
Why do women over-apologise? Women have a lower threshold of what they consider to be apology-worthy. However, with every unnecessary apology you give, you chip away at your confidence. Professor Maja is on a mission to turn the apologetic communication styles of women into confidence building lingo.
Apologies have become a habitual way of communicating for many women and it’s intimately linked to deflection of praise, humbleness and gender stereotypes. Professor Maja is on a mission to turn our apologetic communication styles into confidence building lingo.
Professor Maja is currently in the 6th year of her global study on women’s confidence. To date, she has collected over 2,000 hours of interviews, with over 400+ women, across 26 countries. This talk has been designed to enlighten and engage you on the gender differences in apologies, alternatives to ‘sorry’, and strategies for how to say ‘no’.
Register and learn how to forget the apologies, claim your credibility, and learn to lead with confidence.
Attend and learn
Understand why women at all levels of leadership apologise unnecessarily & to their self detriment
How apologetic communication styles such as feminine modesty and deflection of praise hurt women’s confidence
How stereotypes and biases influence our communication patterns
What to say instead of sorry
Professor Maja
Sociologist, Author, TedX Speaker & Confidence-Builder
The world’s foremost expert and researcher on gendered confidence inhibitors
I am a sociologist, author and TEDx speaker. I’m also a confidence-builder and apology-hater. I graduated with a Ph.D. in Sociology in 2014 (focusing on the sociology of women’s health), with no clear career in mind, until I attended an academic conference that completely changed the trajectory of my research, my career and my life. At that conference, I witnessed women at the pinnacle of their career deflecting praise (we call that feminine modesty) and over-apologising for mundane issues. I immediately became obsessed with apologies. I wrote my first book “Hey Ladies, Stop Apologising… and other career mistakes women make” in 2015, the 2nd edition came out in 2017 along with the accompanying workbook. The audiobook came out in 2018 which is a best-of compilation for both the book, the workbook and my TV appearances.
Professor Maja
I am a sociologist, author and TEDx speaker.
I’m also a confidence-builder and apology-hater. I graduated with a Ph.D. in Sociology in 2014 (focusing on the sociology of women’s health), with no clear career in mind, until I attended an academic conference that completely changed the trajectory of my research, my career and my life. At that conference, I witnessed women at the pinnacle of their career deflecting praise (we call that feminine modesty) and over-apologising for mundane issues. I immediately became obsessed with apologies. I wrote my first book “Hey Ladies, Stop Apologising… and other career mistakes women make” in 2015, the 2nd edition came out in 2017 along with the accompanying WORKBOOK. The audiobook came out in 2018 which is a best-of compilation for both the book, the workbook and my TV appearances.
My full-time job is on the public speaking circuit where I give talks and workshops to girls and women about all things related to confidence, communication and mindset. When I’m not giving talks, I’m either teaching Sociology of Health part-time at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario or I’m conducting my own research.
So enough about me, let’s focus on you. If you’re looking to build your confidence and improve your impact then I look forward to meeting you at the workshop!
Who would benefit from attending?
Current & emerging female, non-binary & gender diverse leaders from all sectors, as well as senior managers looking to grow the confident communication of their teams. Anyone who could do with a confidence boost, leadership refresher or greater self awareness needs to attend this seminar.
- Senior and Executive Leaders
- Managers and Directors
- Early career and emerging female leaders
- Learning and development practitioners
- Consultants and leadership coaches
- Women returning to work from leave
- Male allies and champions for change
Agenda
All times are shown in AEST
Acknowledgement of Country, welcome remarks & virtual learning tips
Gender differences in apologies
- How Professor Maja’s obsession with apologies began
- Why women apologise more than men
- Root cause of apologies (latest data from my study)
- Examples of the most common apologies
- What to say instead of “sorry”
- Emails & Texts
- How we’re perceived for over-apologising
Apologies in different circumstances
- Leadership and apologies
- Empathy and apologies
- Tips on how to express empathy without apologising
- When is a genuine apology needed?
- What makes a good apology?
- Why we apologise for expressing emotions
Mini Q&A with Professor Maja
Learning how to take a compliment
- How deflection of praise is linked to feminine modesty & humbleness
- Strategies to stop deflecting & minimising compliments
- How bias influences our confidence and communication styles
Mini Q&A with Professor Maja
Closing remarks & close of seminar
“This is the most thought provoking, interesting seminar I have ever attended. Professor Maja has opened my eyes and brought awareness to my behaviour. A seminar you don’t want to miss!”
Kobie Edwards
Program Officer, Department of Education VIC
“Forget the apologies” was eye-opening, frustrating (in a frustration for women sort of way) and I want to share it with everyone. Professor Maja was really engaging and dynamic and encouraged questions and discussions. It was a really empowering seminar.”
Sarah Rivers
Senior Product Manager, Hartmann Group, May 2023
“So many moments where I yelled “YESSS!!!” – such a validating, inspiring, motivating, empowering seminar led by a powerful, engaging, knowledgeable, hilarious, candid and warm facilitator. Thank you, Professor Maja.”
Geri Hutchison
Templates Review Officer, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
“The facilitator, Maja, was amazing and gave plenty of examples to bring the message across. Many of these examples really resonated with me. Today I avoided apologising for being late at a meeting and a colleague that also attended the session identified that!”
Mardé Helbig
Senior Lecturer, Griffith University
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