Speak Up: Develop Your Executive Presence & Leadership Communication Style

428: Why Being Too Flexible at Work Gets You Labeled as a Loser Behind Your Back & Undermines Your Leadership

Jul 2, 2025

Negotiation expert Saad A. Saad, a lecturer at Columbia University and author of 'In the Lead', shares insights on the dangers of being overly flexible at work. He discusses how self-advocacy and empathy can coexist without compromising leadership credibility. Listeners learn to recognize everyday negotiations, the importance of clarity, and actionable tactics for more assertive communication. Saad emphasizes the need for a strategic mindset, warning against excessive concessions in pursuit of harmony.

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INSIGHT

Negotiation as Outcome-Based Talk

Negotiation is an outcome-based conversation aimed at achieving a clear goal with another person.
Seeing negotiation as inevitable in daily talks improves your ability to influence outcomes effectively.

ADVICE

Clarify Your Desired Outcome

Be crystal clear on your most ideal and reasonable outcome before negotiations.
Communicate your goals explicitly so the other party takes your position seriously.

INSIGHT

Friction Sharpens Negotiations

Avoiding friction in conversations is a mistake; some tension is necessary to communicate conviction.
Friction helps others take you seriously and drives negotiations toward productive outcomes.

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In today’s episode you’ll discover how you are unintentionally giving away your power in everyday conversations and meetings at work.

Most professionals don’t realize they’re negotiating all the time — in meetings, budget discussions, team assignments, or advocating for their own performance. In this episode, negotiation expert and author Saad shares why most people fail to speak up effectively and how “being nice” can actually backfire in the workplace.

To chat with Laura to see if her Executive Presence Mastery System is right for you click here.

By the end of today’s episode you’ll know:

🚀The single biggest mindset shift to go from passive to powerful in professional conversations.

🏆How to be both assertive and empathetic without being aggressive or manipulative.

🧲Simple, actionable tactics to prepare for your next negotiation….aka your very next meeting.

If you’re tired of being overlooked in meetings or undervalued for your work, hit play now to start negotiating with confidence and clarity.

Knowing your own signature communication orientation is essential for authentic and confident executive presence. Discover here your own signature communication style (free assessment) so your voice can begin to be heard and respected in meetings, you gain more influence, and understand better how to reach key stakeholders.

For more information visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning

About our guest:

Saad A. Saad is a negotiation consultant and lecturer at Columbia University.. In his new book, In the Lead, he outlines his strategies for how sales professionals can close deals faster, secure better margins, and win more business with science-backed negotiation strategies. He has special insight in helping introvert and ambivert high performers.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities.

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.