Career Contessa Tiny Tweaks, Big Impact: Communication Habits That Build Influence
Sep 23, 2025
Dr. Kate Mason, an executive communications coach and author of Powerfully Likeable, shares insights on building influence at work. She emphasizes the difference between being likable and a people-pleaser, revealing that likability is crucial for career advancement. Listeners learn about subtle body language shifts and how to navigate tricky conversations while maintaining credibility. Kate also discusses the importance of clear boundaries, nonverbal signals, and strategic language tweaks to enhance their presence and effectiveness in professional settings.
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Mix Power With Warmth
- Power and likability are not mutually exclusive and can be combined to boost leadership effectiveness.
- Kate Mason argues mixing authority with warmth creates more adaptable, influential leaders.
Stop Minimizing Your Ask
- Avoid minimizing your requests with phrases like "just two seconds" because it makes your ask sound unimportant.
- Instead schedule time and state purpose, e.g., "I've put time in your calendar to discuss the Q4 budget."
Be Clear About Capacity
- Be clear and transparent about capacity and priorities instead of silently overcommitting.
- Offer a short prioritized list and ask your manager how to help prioritize those items.
