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Never Say This At Work
Replace one word today and feel everything shift...
Justin Mecham
June 14, 2025
Hey Full Potential Zoners!
“Sorry” isn’t polite— it’s your habit asking for permission.
We say it out of habit.
We say it to avoid conflict.
We say it because we’ve been taught to shrink.
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But here’s the truth: you don’t need to apologize for asking questions, following up, or taking space.
“Sorry” can be just self-doubt in disguise.
Instead of leading with “sorry,” try leading with strength.
Today we are going to help leaders master this by using:
‘Stop Saying Sorry - Confidence Starts When Sorry Stops'.
Let’s dive in!
Download This PDF + my Top 60+ Cheat Sheets At Bottom of Email
How to Speak Up Without Saying Sorry First
1. You’re giving feedback that might upset someone
Scenario: You’re worried a teammate might take your comment the wrong way.
What we usually say:
“Sorry if this sounds harsh” or “Sorry, but I just think…”
It makes your feedback sound less confident, even when it’s helpful.
What to say instead:
“I want to be honest because this matters.”
“Here’s what I noticed and a possible fix—what do you think?”
Pause before speaking and focus on the goal (help, not hurt).
Share the observation first, not the apology.
Ask for their thoughts to turn it into a conversation, not a correction.
2. You messed something up and it affected your team
Scenario: You missed a step or caused a delay.
What we usually say:
“Sorry, I totally dropped the ball.”
You’ve owned it—but now your team doesn’t know what’s next.
What to say instead:
“Here’s what happened, here’s how I’m fixing it, and here’s what I’m doing next.”
State the mistake once—don’t over-explain.
Focus 80% of the message on the solution or plan.
If helpful, check in later to show it's been handled.
3. You're speaking up in a meeting but feel nervous
Scenario: You have something valuable to say, but worry you’re interrupting.
What we usually say:
“Sorry to interrupt, but…”
It tells the room your voice isn’t important.
What to say instead:
“Can I jump in for a second?”
“I have a thought that might help us move forward.”
Make eye contact and speak clearly without rushing.
Use one sentence to state your point, then pause.
Write your idea down before the meeting so you’re ready to share it.
4. You’re swamped and can’t take on more—but someone keeps asking
Scenario: You want to say no, but you feel bad doing it.
What we usually say:
“Sorry, I just have a lot going on right now.”
You sound like you’re asking permission, not setting a boundary.
What to say instead:
“I’m at capacity this week. I can help with this starting [next day/time].”
“That’s not something I can take on right now. Is there someone else who can?”
Give a clear boundary with a timeline or suggestion.
Don’t over-apologize for your workload—it’s a normal part of work.
Check in later if needed to stay helpful without burning out.
How to Build Your First Product—Using Skills You Already Have
This is what I tell people when they say:
"I want to sell something, but I don’t think I know enough yet."
Truth is, you don’t need to learn more.
You need to recognize what you already know—and turn it into a result someone else wants.
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Go to creatyl.com, create your free account, and open your storefront
Choose a format: Digital Product, Course, or Coaching Call
Ask yourself: What do people constantly come to me for help with?
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Your experience is more valuable than you think.
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Here's how you can make it real today:
Daily Confidence Challenge
Step 1: Pick Your Focus
Choose one “sorry” habit you want to work on today.
Example: “Sorry to follow up,” or “Sorry, I don’t have the answer.”
Step 2: Spot Your Trigger
Think about when this habit usually shows up.
Example: “When I message someone I haven’t heard back from,” or “When I speak in a group call.”
Step 3: Try One Shift
Today, do this one thing:
When the moment comes, pause for just 3 seconds.
Then, replace “sorry” with a clear, respectful statement.
Example: “Just following up to keep this moving,” or “Let me check and get back to you.”
Step 4: Pay Attention
Notice how it feels to say something more confident.
Did it change the tone?
Did you feel more direct?
Did it help move things forward faster?
Step 5: Quick Reflection
At the end of your day, jot this down:
What moment did I catch and shift?
How did the other person respond?
What would I try next time?
AI Prompt: “Act as a confidence coach. Create a short personal script I can use today to stop saying “sorry” in common work situations.
My Habit: [Insert your habit here, e.g., "I always say sorry when I follow up on emails."]
The Situation It Happens In: [Insert where it shows up, e.g., "When someone doesn’t reply and I feel like I’m bugging them."]
What I Want Instead:
A clear and respectful way to follow up without apologizing
Language that helps me feel more confident
Something short I can actually say or write in the moment
Provide:
3 example phrases I can use instead of saying “sorry”
1 reminder I can tell myself before I speak or hit send
1 mindset tip to help me feel stronger in these moments
Use plain, friendly wording I can keep in my notes or copy into messages directly.”
Saying sorry all the time doesn’t make you polite. It makes you invisible.
The more you apologize for existing, the harder it is for people to take you seriously.
Confidence doesn’t come from being loud. It comes from being steady.
The next time you feel the urge to say sorry, pause and say what you really mean.
You belong in every room you walk into—even before you prove anything.
It’s not about saying the perfect thing. It’s about showing up as the real you.
And the real you doesn’t need to say sorry to belong.
Until next time and with lots of love,
Justin
This Week’s Growth Recommendations
Book To Read:
“The Gifts of Imperfection” by Brené Brown (see it here)
TED Talk to Watch:
“How Apologies Kill Our Confidence" by Maja Jovanovic (see it here)
Guide to Download:
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