The Sorry Reflex Explained

Most people don’t realize they’re giving away their power every single day – starting with one simple word: sorry. In this episode of Tiger Sisters, we reveal the three hidden ways women (and men) sabotage their success. Plus one toxic habit you definitely don’t realize you’re doing and teach you how to flip the script with clarity and confidence.

We share: 

✅ The “sorry reflex” and how it destroys authority
 ✅ Why women shrink themselves to be liked – and how to stop doing it
 ✅ Permission-seeking language that quietly erodes your credibility
 ✅ The hidden trap of toxic gratitude and how it keeps you stuck
 ✅ Mini-exercises to help you build a stronger, more powerful leadership voice

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⏰ Timestamps

0:00 Three ways women undermine their own power

1:57 Framework #1: The Sorry Reflex

3:03 How women are conditioned into self-monitoring

5:17 Workplace example: Jean's first corporate manager

7:33 Practical swaps for I'm “sorry

9:56 Mini Exercise: Rewrite your top “sorry” phrases

10:47 Ad Break: Read AI

12:22 Framework #2: Shrink to Fit

12:54 Michelle Obama’s power-at-the-table quote

14:07 Cherie’s early-career example of shrinking in meetings

16:31 Being respected vs. liked

17:07 Mini Exercise: Where you’re minimizing ambition + one win to own 

20:13 Framework #3: Asking for Permission

21:46 Jean’s story: waiting for the “perfect” idea

23:55 How allies can reinforce your voice

27:02 Mini Exercise: Say your idea without hedging

27:44 Bonus Framework: Toxic Gratitude

31:14 Recap and this week’s Power Moves

👀 Newsletter: https://cherieluo.substack.com/

Why trust us?

▫️ Cherie Brooke Luo – 100M+ views demystifying big tech, finance & MBAs

▫️ Jean Luo – ex-Goldman, ex-Snapchat exec, 50+ AI patents, startup investor

▫️ Together: 4 Ivy degrees • built billion-dollar products • two startups — decoded for you

What you’ll get (and keep):

▫️ 🚀 Ivy League cheat sheets – no $250K tuition required

▫️ Personal finance playbooks – salary jumps, investing, money psychology

▫️ Networking scripts – behind $100M+ deals, job offers & VC intros

▫️ Real talk with unicorn founders, VCs, and billionaires

▫️ Mindset resets – clarity minus the pricey life coach

▫️ Lifestyle, wellness, and productivity hacks that actually work

💛 LET'S CONNECT:

~ CHERIE ~

🤳🏻 Instagram – / cherie.brooke

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✍🏻 Substack – cherieluo.substack.com

👩🏻‍💻 LinkedIn – / cherie-luo

~ JEAN ~

🤳🏻 Instagram – / jeanluo_

👩🏻‍💻 LinkedIn – / jeanluo

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