Stop apologizing for things that don't need apologies. If you're late, say "thank you for waiting" instead of "sorry I'm late." Small shifts in language rebuild how people see you.
I have seen this again and again, and every time this happens, it really hurts me. I have seen people apologizing even before they speak. So they will say that, hey, I'm so sorry, this is my first time, so I may not be prepared. Hey, I'm so sorry, I'm running a little bit late. Hey, I'm so sorry, I have not prepared enough. Now, when you say sorry, you are actually killing your credibility. So what you can do instead, you can say— first of all, see if you really need to say sorry. So if you're doing it something for the first time, don't say anything, just get started. Or in case you are running late, then you can say, thank you so much for bearing with me, there was something unavoidable, so I had to do this, but I am so, so grateful that you are here, and let's get started. These techniques, when you apply, your branding, your credibility will go to the next level.
