Bad habits in your communication, like apologetic language, upspeak, and jargon overload, can undermine your credibility. Dr. Andrea Wojnicki shares fixes for 10 bad habits so you can start communicating with confidence and credibility. 
Get the free “Bad Habits” download: https://www.talkabouttalk.com/badhabits
CONNECT WITH ANDREA 

Website: http://talkabouttalk.com/
LinkedIn – Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/
LinkedIn – Talk About Talk:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/
Newsletter:  https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/
YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube/

TRANSCRIPT
Do You Have Bad Communication Habits?
Let’s be honest—we all do. Yes, even communication coaches like me. I’m not talking about quirks my teenage kids tease me about. I mean legitimate habits that undermine how we show up—especially as leaders.
Recently, I caught myself overusing the word “right?” at the end of sentences. It was like I needed agreement from you, the listener. Once or twice per episode? Fine. But it got repetitive—and annoying. So I stopped. I also caught myself saying “you guys” instead of something more inclusive like “everyone.” Not great.
The Perks of Hosting a Podcast
One benefit of podcasting (and YouTube)? You get to review your own communication patterns. And let me tell you—it’s eye-opening.
So, what are your bad communication habits?
Bad communication habits can be distracting, annoying, and worst of all—they erode your credibility. That’s a big deal, especially if you’re an ambitious professional or executive (which I bet you are, since you’re here!).
Episode 187: 10 Bad Communication Habits That Undermine Your Credibility (and What to Do Instead)
Welcome to Talk About Talk. I’m Dr. Andrea Wojnicki—please, call me Andrea. I coach executives to communicate with confidence and credibility. At TalkAboutTalk.com, you’ll find info on 1:1 coaching, corporate workshops, a free communication skills newsletter, and more.
Ready to level up your communication?
Let’s dive in.
Download the Free Checklist
Follow along with this episode using the free downloadable checklist at talkabouttalk.com/badhabits. It lists all ten habits and what to do instead. Great for self-evaluation or as a conversation starter with colleagues or your boss.
Bad Habit No. 1: Weak, Apologetic Language
Phrases like “This might be a dumb idea…” or “Sorry, can I just…” diminish your authority before you’ve even started.
Fix:

* Cut qualifiers like “maybe” or “I think.”
* Replace “sorry” (unless warranted) with confident framing like, “Here’s an idea to consider.”
* Use silence instead of hedging.

Try reviewing transcripts of your meetings and searching for “sorry,” “just,” and “maybe.”
Bad Habit No. 2: Upspeak
That rising tone at the end of a sentence? It turns statements into questions and signals a lack of confidence.
Fix:

* Practice “landing” your sentences.
* Use tools like a post-it with a question mark and an X through it.
* Deliver statements with conviction—no upward lilt.

Bad Habit No. 3: Rambling (a.k.a. “Epic Storytelling”)
Rambling dilutes your message and frustrates your audience. Senior leaders especially need to speak with precision.
Fix:

* Start with a clear headline: “Here’s what I recommend.”

Ready to improve your Elevator Pitch? Your elevator pitch is an asset that can optimize high-stakes conversations. Learn a dynamic 3-point framework that will help you confidently engage with critical stakeholders, ensuring you make a positive, memorable impact.
CONNECT WITH ANDREA 

Website: http://talkabouttalk.com/
LinkedIn – Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/
LinkedIn – Talk About Talk:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/
Newsletter:  https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/
YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube/

TRANSCRIPT
How to Elevate Your Elevator Pitch: A 3-Step Framework for Authentic Communication
“Can You Help Me With My Elevator Pitch?”
Recently, one of my long-time executive communication coaching clients sent me an urgent message: “Can you help me with my elevator pitch?”
He had a high-stakes meeting coming up and wanted that perfect, polished paragraph—something he could memorize and deliver on cue.
My response?
No. (Yes, you heard that right.)
Of course, I helped him prepare for his meeting, and yes, he knocked it out of the park. But I didn’t give him a scripted elevator pitch. Instead, I coached him using a proven 3-step framework that works in any high-stakes conversation.
And now, I’m sharing that framework with you.
Welcome to the Talk About Talk Podcast, Episode 186: Elevate Your Elevator Pitch. (See what I did there?)
In this episode, we’ll explore how to communicate effectively in high-pressure situations, whether you’re networking, pitching to an investor, or seizing a spontaneous opportunity to leave a lasting impression.
Forget memorized scripts. I’ll show you how to elevate your elevator pitch using a customized, authentic approach that resonates every time.
Why Traditional Elevator Pitches Fail
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re:

* Unsure how to craft an elevator pitch
* Or, you have one—but it feels stale, robotic, or ineffective

We’ve all been told that having an elevator pitch is essential. Whether you’re growing your business, pitching clients, or aiming for a promotion, that 30-second spiel is supposed to be your golden ticket.
But a scripted elevator pitch often backfires.
Here’s why:

* It Sounds Rehearsed
People can tell when you’re on autopilot. A memorized pitch feels impersonal and insincere—especially to high-status individuals who hear these scripts all the time.
* It’s Not Customized
A one-size-fits-all pitch ignores the context and the person you’re speaking to. Effective communication should always be tailored.

So, instead of a stiff, rehearsed speech, I recommend a disciplined, authentic, and flexible framework.
The 3-Step Framework to Elevate Your Elevator Pitch
Whether you’re in a spontaneous hallway chat or a planned meeting, this framework will help you communicate with confidence and impact.
1. Make It Personal: Focus on Them
Before you say anything about yourself, shift the spotlight to the other person.
✅ Ask about their recent projects
✅ Congratulate them on a success
✅ Show genuine curiosity
For example: “I saw your team just launched an innovative campaign—congrats! What inspired it?”
This approach builds connection and shows empathy.

Pro Tip: It’s NOT all about you.
2. Be Enthusiastic: Let Your Energy Shine
Positive energy is contagious.

Looking for guidance on how to ace your job interview? Andrea shares an interview preparation checklist, focused on your preparation before the interview, your communication during the interview, what to do after the interview, and how to answer specific Qs. You can download the free downloadable checklist at talkabouttalk.com/interview
RESOURCES

The “Ace Your Interview Checklist” free download: https://talkabouttalk.com/interview
Talk About Talk podcast episodes focused on boosting your confidence:

Ep.158 – 7 Ways to Boost Your Confidence & Your Credibility
Ep.83 – Let’s Talk Imposter Syndrome
Ep.169  – Communicate with Confidence – Mental Preparation



CONNECT WITH ANDREA 

Website: TalkAboutTalk.com
LinkedIn – Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/
LinkedIn Talk About Talk:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/
Newsletter:  https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/
YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube/

 
TRANSCRIPT
Do you have any memorable interview stories?
Any epic fails—either as the interviewer or the interviewee?
I do. And while it wasn’t exactly a disaster, it still haunts me.
This story takes place when I was finishing my doctorate and actively looking for a faculty position. I was in my early 30s, super keen, and well-prepared. Most of my first-round interviews were held back-to-back at a conference hotel—efficient, intense, and generally successful. I turned most of those interviews into second-round invitations.
But not all of them.
There was one interview that didn’t go well. In fact, it was a complete miss. And to this day, I still think about it.
When the “H-bomb” backfires
This interview was with a state school in the U.S. I walked into the room and was met by two middle-aged white men. As soon as they looked at me, they exchanged a glance… and then rolled their eyes. One of them said, “You probably wouldn’t accept a job here anyway. But why don’t you tell us about yourself and why you want to work here?”
Yep—the H-bomb. That’s what we call it when the Harvard credential backfires.
In hindsight, I should’ve stood up, thanked them for their time, and walked out. But I didn’t. I stayed. For the full 45 minutes. And let them grill me.
It. Was. Torture.
Have you ever wanted to walk out of an interview?
Walking out of an interview is a bold move. And honestly, staying was probably the right call. What if those two professors later talked to faculty at another school and said I walked out mid-interview?
Still, that moment sticks with me as my worst interview ever.
And here’s the kicker—I hadn’t even opened my mouth, and they had already decided they didn’t like me.
Even great interviews can be stressful
Even when the interviewer wants to hire you, job interviews can be incredibly anxiety-inducing.
That’s why, in this episode, we’re covering four key things to help you ace your next interview:

* How to prepare before the interview
* How to communicate during the interview
* What to do after the interview
* How to answer specific questions effectively

Let’s dive in.
Hi there! I’m Dr. Andrea Wojnicki, but please just call me Andrea. I coach ambitious executives—just like you—to communicate with confidence and credibility.
If you’re new here, check out TalkAboutTalk.

#BeYourSelfOnPurpose: Five words packed full of meaning. Andrea shares the power of developing your strong unique personal brand by doing two things: 1) being yourself, 2) on purpose. You’ll also learn three specific contexts when you can put this mantra into action.
CONNECT WITH ANDREA 

* Website: TalkAboutTalk.com
LinkedIn – Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/
LinkedIn Talk About Talk:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/
Newsletter:  https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/
YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube/

 
TRANSCRIPT
Recently, I hosted a live virtual webinar on personal branding—and I have to say, it went really well. Now, my corporate workshops and webinars usually go great, but this one felt different. I was vibing, and I could tell by the audience’s reactions and questions that they were really getting something valuable out of it.
After the webinar, I received a ton of positive feedback. One message stood out: a woman messaged me on LinkedIn almost immediately. She told me she takes her dry erase whiteboard very seriously—it’s where she puts her goals, meeting notes, follow-ups. After the session, she erased everything on it and wrote just five words: Be Your Self On Purpose. Then she sent me a photo. I was floored.
A couple hours later, I posted the webinar video on LinkedIn, and a senior executive I deeply respect commented with a hashtag: #BeYourSelfOnPurpose. That’s when I knew—this concept really resonates. It’s clear that being your self on purpose is an idea that sticks.
So, in this episode, we’re going to double down on those five powerful words: Be Your Self On Purpose. You’re going to learn what it means, why it matters, and how you can apply it to build a strong, unique personal brand.
Welcome to Talk About Talk – Episode #184: Be Your Self On Purpose
Hi there! I’m Dr. Andrea Wojnicki. Please just call me Andrea. I’m an executive communication coach at Talk About Talk, where I help ambitious executives communicate with confidence and clarity so they can succeed and reach their career goals.
You can learn more about me and all the coaching and resources I offer—one-on-one coaching, small-group bootcamps, corporate workshops, this bi-weekly podcast, and my newsletter—at TalkAboutTalk.com. And if we’re not connected yet on LinkedIn, I’d love to change that.
Let’s Talk Personal Branding
Before we dive into what it means to Be Your Self On Purpose, I want to briefly revisit the roots of personal branding and share a few definitions.
In 1997, when I was a brand manager at Kraft Foods, I received a physical copy of Fast Company magazine. The cover looked like a box of Tide laundry detergent—but instead of “Tide,” it said “You.” The headline: “The Brand Called You” by Tom Peters.
This article blew my mind. Peters didn’t invent personal branding, but he brought it into the corporate mainstream. He suggested that everything we apply to marketing products and services—differentiation, target markets, brand values—can and should be applied to ourselves. Personal branding was born.
Fast forward to my time teaching MBA students at Rotman. At the end of every branding course, I would dedicate a class to personal branding. Why? Because everything we learned about branding applies directly to you.
Another powerful definition comes from Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon:
“Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.”

What’s your archetype? Knowing your archetype can help you control your narrative, provide you with focus, and boost your confidence. Take the Archetypes Quiz at www.talkabouttalk.com/archetypesquiz. Archetypes are shared, universal patterns that help us understand characters, stories, and even ourselves.  
 
12 PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY ARCHETYPES
 

CAREGIVER – maternal, comforting, trusted, generous 
CREATOR – artist, designer, maker, vibrant 
CITIZEN – girl/guy next door, hardworking, friendly, down-to-earth, loyal 
EXPLORER – adventurous, innovative, pioneer, investigator, trailblazer
HERO – disciplined, inspiring, strong/brave, warrior, champion 
OPTIMIST – kind, simple, innocent, pure 
JESTER – humorous, comedic, entertainer, playful, light-hearted 
IMPASSIONED – focused on senses, relationships, inclusive, passionate, devoted 
MAGICIAN – transformer, dreamer, visionary, spiritual guide. 
REVOLUTIONARY– radically distinct, bold, rebel, unapologetic 
RULER– authoritative, influential, political, sophisticated, ambitious
SAGE – learner, teacher, academic, analytical, wise. 

 
TRANSCRIPT
 
This might be one of the shortest and most impactful podcast episodes you’ve heard in a long time.  I hope so!
 
Of all the topics I coach people on and that I speak about, I’d say Personal Branding, and helping people articulate or narrate their unique brand makes the biggest impact. Typically I run my coaching clients through several exercises to help them identify their unique brand, including but not limited to: seeking input from others, taking personality tests, creating your personal Venn diagram, running through mental exercises, reviewing formal work feedback and evaluations, completing worksheets that I assign, and lots more. 
 
And of all these personal branding exercises, identifying their archetype is the one that they often tell me is the most helpful.
 
So I thought I’d spend an episode coaching YOU on how to identify your unique professional identity archetype, and what to do with it to help you be your happiest and most successful self. Sound good?
 
Welcome to talk about talk podcast episode 183: what’s my archetype. In case we haven’t met my name is Dr. Andrea Wojnicki. Please just call me Andrea. I’m an executive communication coach at talk about talk where I coach ambitious executives like you to communicate with confidence and establish credibility so they can achieve their career goals. The topics I cover are all focussed on communication, including things like overcoming imposter syndrome, becoming a great storyteller, listening like a leader, nailing your formal presentation, establishing executive presence, and establishing your unique personal brand.
 
You can learn from me through private one on one coaching, corporate workshops and keynote speeches, the boot camps that I lead, the archive of this podcast, and through my email newsletter. If you go to talk about talk.com you can sign up for the newsletter there. It’s like getting free coaching from me every two weeks.
 
While you’re there on the talkabouttalk.com website, I encourage you to take the archetypes quiz. That’s the topic of this weeks episode. I’m going to help you identify which of the 12 professional identity archetypes resonates most with you and what you can do with this insight. Just go to talkabouttalk.com/archetypesquiz.
 
OK – By the end of this episode: You’ll understand the power of identifying your professional identity archetype and how you can use your archetype to accelerate your career trajectory.
 
Here’s how this episode will go: 
 

Learn three ways to control your narrative and steer your professional identity. Andrea will teach you how to introduce yourself with purpose, reframe perceived weaknesses as strengths, and narrate your career transitions and your career journey. There are a million ways to tell the same story.  Why not tell yours in a way that serves you? 
 
CONNECT WITH ANDREA 

LinkedIn – Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawojnicki/
LinkedIn Talk About Talk:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkabouttalk/
Website: TalkAboutTalk.com
Newsletter:  https://www.talkabouttalk.com/newsletter/
YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@talkabouttalkyoutube/
Archetypes Quiz: https://talkabouttalk.com/archetypesquiz

 
TRANSCRIPT
At a recent live workshop I led on personal branding, I kicked things off by sharing three definitions of a personal brand—each one packed with meaning and offering a unique perspective. I started with Jeff Bezos’ infamous definition: “A brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.” Think about that for a moment. It’s powerful, isn’t it? Imagine the conversations happening about you—when you’re not there to guide them. Are they speaking about your leadership? Your creativity? Your dependability? That’s your brand.
 
Then I highlighted the definition that Seth Godin shared with me when I interviewed him for Talk About Talk episode XX. This really struck a chord. Seth says your brand is what people think you’re going to do next. Wow. Let that sink in. Your brand isn’t just what you’ve done or who you are right now—it’s about expectations, trust, and your potential. Here’s a challenge: take out a sheet of paper. In one column, write down what YOU want to do next—your goals and aspirations. In the second column, write down what you think OTHER PEOPLE expect you to do next. Are those two lists aligned? If not, that’s where the real work begins. The gap between those two lists is where your brand needs some serious attention.
Back to the definitions of personal branding that I shared in the workshop.  Finally, I shared my own definition of personal branding, which isn’t just about a thought exercise—it’s about action. Here’s how I define it: personal branding is about being yourself on purpose. Being yourself—your true, authentic, unique, and best self. And on purpose—as in unapologetically, deliberately, and strategically managing your brand. It’s about being disciplined and stepping into your story with intention and owning it. One of the most powerful ways to do this is by controlling your narrative.
 
And that’s exactly what we’re covering today in this episode. I’m going to walk you through three impactful ways to control your narrative and steer your professional identity. Trust me, these strategies can transform the way people perceive you. Ready to get started?
 
Welcome to Talk About Talk podcast episode #182: “3 Ways to Control Your Narrative and Steer Your Professional Identity.”
 
Hi there! In case we haven’t met, I’m Dr. Andrea Wojnicki, executive communication coach at Talk About Talk. But please, just call me Andrea. My mission is to coach executives and professionals like you to communicate with confidence, establish credibility, and achieve your career goals. I’m here to help you take charge of your narrative and own your story—and I couldn’t be more excited to share this episode with you.
 
You can learn more about me and what I do on the Show more...