Speaking Up With Intention: A Smarter Way to Set Your Goals
06 January 2026

Speaking Up With Intention: A Smarter Way to Set Your Goals

Speak Your Mind Unapologetically Podcast

About

A new year doesn't require a long list of aspirational, feel-good goals.
It requires the right specific goals — especially when it comes to speaking up at work.

In this first episode of the year, you'll reframe goal-setting for speaking up at work — away from vague intentions like "be more confident" and toward specific, observable communication behaviors that actually change your impact, credibility, and influence at work.

In this episode, we cover:

    Why most speaking up goals fail by February

    The difference between wanting to speak up and deciding when and how to speak up

    Three practical assertive communication goals you can set for the new year:

      What to say more of

      What to say less of

      What to say earlier — not perfectly

You don't have to change who you are, become fearless, or extroverted.

If speaking up at work, self-advocacy, and career advancement matter to you this year, this episode will help you start with clarity instead of pressure.

00:00 Speaking Up Goals That Actually Work
04:28 Understanding Situational Responses
05:40 Don't Wait To Feel Ready, Instead Plan Your Speaking Up Moments
06:48 Speaking Up When You're Not Confident, Not Extroverted, Not Fearless
09:35 Specific Speak Up Goals
10:48 What Will You Say More?
24:58 What to Say Less Of
32:12 Speaking Up Earlier
38:05 Conclusion
 

🎁 Free Resource:
Download the 30 Power Shifts Guide — a free, practical cheat sheet with real-life "weak vs. powerful" word swaps for meetings, presentations, and everyday conversations.

    Replace soft, hesitant phrases with powerful, natural ones.

    Speak with clarity, conviction, and calm authority.

    Be heard without apology.

👉 Get your free guide here: https://assertiveway.aweb.page/30power 

 

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✅ Take the Quiz 'Do You Speak Like a High-Impact Leader?':   https://myassertiveway.outgrow.us/highimpactleader 

 

✅ Listen on the Speak Your Mind Unapologetically podcast on Apple Itunes:   https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915   

 

✅ Listen on Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/6L1myPkiJXYf5SGrublYz2

 

✅ Order our book, 'Unapologetic Voice: 101 Real-World Strategies for Brave Self Advocacy & Bold Leadership' where each strategy is also a real story:

https://www.amazon.com/Unapologetic-Voice-Real-World-Strategies-Leadership-ebook/dp/B0CW2X4WWL/

 

✅ Follow the show host, Ivna Curi, on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2/  

 

✅ Request A Customized Workshop For Your Team And Company:   http://assertiveway.com/workshops

Contact me: info@assertiveway.com or ivnacuri@assertiveway.com

Contact me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2