Your 'Yes' Habit Is Killing Your Career"

Unlock the power of assertive communication to reduce stress, protect your time, and build stronger relationships—at work and beyond. In this episode of Optimising Leader Brilliance, leadership coach Estelle Read guides you through balancing passive and aggressive communication with confident assertiveness. Learn the PAC model of communication, explore how past experiences shape your style, and discover practical frameworks for giving and receiving. Whether you’re leading a team or simply looking to communicate more clearly, this episode equips you with essential tools to say no without fear, resolve conflict amicably, and reclaim control over your and professional boundaries. What You Will Learn: 💡 How to recognize passive, aggressive, and assertive communication styles and find your assertive middle ground 💡 Practical strategies for saying no effectively to protect your wellbeing and manage your workload 💡 How to give and receive feedback that fosters growth, psychological safety, and stronger team culture Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (01:15) Welcome & Episode Overview (02:44) Understanding Assertive Communication (16:22) Communication Styles & Real-World Examples (31:26) The PAC Model: Parent, Adult & Child Communication (34:24) Pause, Reflect & Act – Mini Coaching Practice ⭐Download My Free Journal & Self-Coaching Tool: https://mailchi.mp/dab4b2568b71/free-... ⭐Follow Estelle Read: https://linktr.ee/EstelleAtBeee   ⭐Access Resources or Book a Free Discovery Call: ⁠https://estelleread.com/resources/⁠   ⭐Estelle Read’s Coaching Programmes: ⬆️⁠The Optimised Leader Programme: NEXT LEVEL⁠ 🎇⁠The Resilient Leader Programme: SHINE⁠   ⭐Buy Estelle Read’s Bestselling Book: ⁠Inner Brilliance, Outer Shine: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism and Stress ⁠   ⭐Subscribe to Estelle Read’s Blog: ⁠Receive my free workbook: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism & Stress, when you sign up. ⁠ ⭐Help Us Keep Growing & Going: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe wherever you listen or watch, leave a review or share it with someone who might benefit. Thank you ❤️. ⭐Listen or Watch on YouTube: 🎧Listen on your favourite podcast platform here: https://estelleread.com/podcast/ 📺Watch on YouTube:    / @estelleread   ⭐Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice. #AssertiveCommunication #LeadershipMindset #OptimisingLeaderBrilliance