What makes a leader lose credibility before they even realize it?

In this episode, Mason Duchatschek talks with Dr. Liz DuBois Erskine, a PhD conflict analyst and executive coach, about the small communication habits that can quietly weaken authority, trust, and executive presence.

Dr. Liz shares why over-apologizing can make leaders seem less confident, why trying too hard to prove you are smart can confuse people instead of persuading them, and how direct accountability can defuse criticism faster than defensiveness.

They also discuss what to do when you are interrupted or talked over, why unresolved workplace conflict creates anxiety across a team, and how leaders can stop tolerating situations where they are consistently undervalued.

This conversation is especially useful for business owners, CEOs, executives, HR leaders, sales managers, and team leaders who want to communicate with more authority, handle conflict more effectively, and build stronger workplace relationships.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Why saying “I’m sorry” too often can weaken executive presence
• How to replace unnecessary apologies with stronger language
• Why accountability earns respect in high-pressure leadership moments
• How leaders accidentally give away authority in conversations
• What to say when someone interrupts or talks over you
• Why avoiding conflict creates more anxiety, not less
• How people pleasing can lead to burnout and underperformance
• Why being undervalued often requires an internal shift before an external move

Guest: Dr. Liz DuBois Erskine
Website: https://coachdrliz.com/
Email: drliz@drlizdebois.com

Connect With Workforce Alchemy
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Connect With Mason
Website: https://masonduchatschek.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/masonduchatschek/

Topics covered: leadership communication, executive presence, workplace conflict, conflict resolution, people pleasing, burnout, leadership coaching, women in leadership, male-dominated workplaces, business leadership, CEO leadership, HR leadership, sales leadership, team leadership, employee engagement, retention, workforce strategy

#LeadershipCommunication #ExecutivePresence #WorkplaceConflict #LeadershipCoaching #BusinessLeadership #CEOLeadership #HRLeadership #TeamLeadership #WorkforceAlchemy

#executivepresence