Have you ever left a conversation wishing you had responded differently? Do you find yourself getting flustered in tough discussions? Want to communicate with confidence—even in high-pressure moments?
Confident communication isn’t about having the perfect response. It’s about staying calm, in control, and making your message clear.
Jefferson Fisher, a trial lawyer and communication expert, shares brilliant strategies to help you handle difficult conversations with confidence—whether it’s in a meeting, a negotiation, or a personal discussion.
Here are four of his most powerful tips:
1️⃣ The power of the pause
When emotions run high, our instinct is often to react immediately. But confident communicators know that pausing is a superpower.
Before responding, take a deep breath. Let there be silence. This simple act:
✅ Buys you time to think.
✅ Prevents knee-jerk reactions.
✅ Makes you appear more in control.
Try this: the next time someone throws a tough question or criticism your way, pause for 2–3 seconds before answering. Watch how it shifts the tone of the conversation.
2️⃣ Stop over-apologizing!
One of the biggest confidence killers? Apologizing when it’s not necessary.
Many of us instinctively say “sorry” for things that don’t require an apology:
❌ “Sorry, can I ask a question?”
✅ “I have a question.”
❌ “Sorry for taking up your time.”
✅ “Thanks for your time.”
Apologizing when it’s not needed diminishes your message and authority. Instead, replace unnecessary “sorries” with confident, direct language.
3️⃣ Delivering bad news? Get to it fast
Ever received an email full of fluff before finally getting to the real (bad) news? It’s painful.
Confident communicators get to the point quickly. Instead of softening bad news with unnecessary buildup, state it upfront and then provide context.
💬 Example: Instead of saying, “So, I really appreciate your work, and this was a tough decision, but unfortunately, we’re going in a different direction…”
✅ Say: “I appreciate your effort, but we’ve decided to go in a different direction. Here’s why…”
It may feel uncomfortable, but being direct builds trust and reduces confusion.
4️⃣ Handling difficult people
We’ve all dealt with difficult personalities—whether it’s an aggressive boss, a dismissive coworker, or someone who loves to argue. Fisher’s advice? Don’t match their energy.
✔️ When someone raises their voice, lower yours.
✔️ When they interrupt, pause and stay calm.
✔️ When they insult, don’t engage—stay on message.
Difficult people thrive on emotional reactions. By staying steady, you take away their power.
💡 Confident communication isn’t about being the loudest in the room—it’s about being the most composed.
Challenge: practice one of these tips this week
Which one speaks to you? The pause? Getting to the point faster? Staying calm with difficult people?
Lots of love,
-Anna
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📅 Book a Free Clarity Call – let’s create a plan to help you move lead with confidence.
