Hey Reader,

Here's a sneaky form of perfectionism at work that nobody warns you about:

I call it conversational perfectionism, and it's the topic of this week's podcast episode.

Conversational perfectionism rears it's head when you put all your hopes into one discussion with your boss, convinced it'll finally solve everything...

Only to feel disappointed when things ends without the resolution and relief you expected.

But conversational perfectionism also shows up in meetings.

You have something to contribute:

• A question
• A concern
• An idea

But you don't say it. You wait to make sure it's smart enough, relevant enough, perfectly worded enough.

Then the call moves forward without you. The moment passes.

This is conversational perfectionism once again....

You're putting too much pressure on every single comment. Treating each thing you say like it'll be scrutinized and remembered forever.

That's not reality.

See, the more you speak up, the less each individual comment matters.

When people hear from you regularly, no single comment defines you. One mediocre point gets absorbed into the larger pattern of dozens of other contributions you've made.

The more reps you get, the sharper you become. The faster you think on your feet. The more you develop instincts for what's worth saying and when.

Want to shortcut that cycle?
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​--> RSVP for my wildly popular training "Earn Up to $200k More in 2026: 5 Steps to Speak Like a Senior Leader"

Join me live on December 3rd at 5pm ET for the exact roadmap to sound credible, clear, and get paid up to 40% more – without extra hours.

"Big Talk" with Your Boss Flopped? What to Do Next

You prepared and built up that conversation with your manager for days, maybe even weeks. And then... it doesn't deliver the closure you hoped. It didn’t go bad, but it feels like nothing was really resolved. In this episode, I name the pattern behind this frustration – and why it has nothing to do with how well you prepared or what you said.

What You’ll Discover:

▪️ The 3-phase mental journey that happens before you even open your mouth—and why it sets you up for disappointment

▪️ The #1 shift to stop replaying conversations wondering what went wrong

▪️ How to keep important topics alive over time without burning political capital or seeming difficult

Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

More ‘Ridiculously Useful’ Resources

Is your manager's feedback always negative? Try this

If you have the kind of manager who seems to poke holes in everything you do, asking this ONE question can get you the constructive direction you need.

→ Watch the video

HBR's 10 Must Reads of 2026

What an honor to have my writing on Five Ways to Ask Your Boss to Advocate for You selected as one of Harvard Business Review's "definitive management ideas of the year." This book is a collection of classic ideas and practical advice to advance your career in a time when everything is changing.

→ Get your copy

How to stop feeling intimidated by executives

It's time to hold your own around senior leaders instead of crumbling into a balls of nerves. In this podcast episode, I explain exactly how to stop making yourself feel powerless.

​→ Listen here

RSVP: Earn Up to $200k More in 2026

In this value-packed FREE class on December 3rd at 5pm ET, you'll discover:

✓ Exactly what's going wrong if you aren't commanding credibility and respect – even if you're doing the work of someone two levels up

✓ What it REALLY means when you're told "you need executive presence" (hint: it has nothing to do with being louder or wearing nicer clothes)

✓ Small tweaks you can make TODAY to articulate yourself with such polish and precision, your boss's boss says, "We need you looped in earlier"

✓ My 5-step system that gets our clients at top Fortune 500 companies tapped for 6-figure promotions (without annoying buzzwords or 10 hours of prep)

The training is completely free, and yes, a replay will be available – but only if you register.

​>> Save your spot

See you inside,

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