Sorry, Not Sorry: Moving Beyond Apologies to Empower Women in the Workplace

Great leaders are masterful communicators. Many women communicate in a collaborative, inclusive style that is invaluable for building relationships. But, we’re also inclined to certain language habits—like frequent apologising—that don’t serve leadership. In fact, these common habits detract from our authority, integrity, and effectiveness.

In this one-hour workshop, we’ll answer theses questions:

>What is the psychology behind women’s over-apologizing?

>How do these ‘apologies’ impact how we are perceived in the workplace?

>What assertive, empowering language can we use to replace our apologies?

Workshop Takeaways:

>Recognize when you might be habitually apologising in your communication

>Understand the psychology that drives the urge to over-apologize

>Grasp the impact of apologetic language on leadership presence and authority

>Gain practical strategies for substituting apologies with assertive, empowering communication

Join us for this interactive workshop to transform your communication style and learn the language of leadership.

This workshop is a creative collaboration between Rebecca Williams, Nina Rosner, and Becky Tsadik.

Personal Branding Seminar

Guests: 40 working women in tech, events, advertising

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Event: An interactive workshop on how to develop a succinct personal branding statement, manage social media presence, and implement resume best practices. The audience included staff and associates of Gebeya Inc., an EdTech and online talent Marketplace company.

Credit: Gebeya Media

Credit: Gebeya Media


MAD Symposium

Guests: 600 chefs, restaurateurs, professors, and artists

Location: Copenhagen, Denmark

Event: The bi-annual symposium gathers restaurant-industry professionals to discuss solutions to the industry’s pressing problems. During the 2018 Symposium, Becky coordinated and oversaw the assignments of 60 volunteers from around the world, who convened to help build the site and execute the event.

Credit: Jason Idris Alami

Credit: Jason Idris Alami


"Beam Suntory’s Sales Rise On The Strength Of Its Bourbon Range"

Guests: Bartenders, beverage directors, chefs

Location: Northern & Southern California

Event: A 2016 publishing partnership with American spirits manufacturer Beam Suntory to produce a Women in Whiskey series: these monthly themed educational opportunities centered around whiskey brands Auchentoshan, Basil Hayden's and Jim Beam. Beam Suntory announced significant growth at the end of 2016, specifically in its bourbon category. 


Alexander Valley Cab Academy

Guests: 24 wine buyers, beverage directors & sommeliers

Location: Alexander Valley AVA (California)

Event: Two dozen wine buyers from around the country attended seminars, wine tastings and vineyard tours on an educational trip hosted by Alexander Valley Winegrowers. Working with the organization's liaison, I helped plan the agenda and coordinated travel for attendees.

Credit: Alexander Rubin

Credit: Alexander Rubin


Branding Yourself with Jim Beam: Career Development Seminar

Guests: 30 female beverage directors, mixologists, sommeliers, chefs & cocktail bloggers

Location: Seven Grand (Los Angeles)

Event: Thirty women gathered at Seven Grand bar in downtown Los Angeles for a seminar on self-branding and leveraging social media to build an audience. I sourced collateral, promoted the event, coordinated catering, worked with the venue to secure glassware, A/V, product needs.

Credit: Margaret Soss

Credit: Margaret Soss


Jack's Black Book Launch Party

Guests: 200 beverage directors and bartenders (Los Angeles); 100 beverage directors and bartenders (Las Vegas)

Locations: Carondelet House (DTLA); Montecristo Cigar Bar (Caesars Palace, LV)

Event: A two-city launch party for Jack Daniel’s Jack’s Black Book, a travelogue and cocktail recipe book, in Los Angeles, then Las Vegas. Invited industry guests, worked with graphic designer on invitations, event banners, created run-of-shows.

Credit: Dustin Downing

Credit: Dustin Downing


Bereket & OneHope Wine Dinner

Ethiopian pop-up restaurant Bereket teamed up with OneHope Wine to host a multi-course dinner at TOM’s flagship store in Venice, CA.

Credit: Alyssa Tembrina

Credit: Alyssa Tembrina