This happens to us all the moment we’re in a roomful of people or a critical meeting and we say the wrong word. Communication is weird; it’s not just the message, but it’s also what you are saying. In some instances, the manner in which our thoughts are formulated may erode our sense of authority. These nuances in language make for a smoother social maneuver.
Starting With a Tiny Disclaimer
Starting a sentence with “might” followed by “be wrong” conveys a lack of conviction at times. It may sound lowdown but can convey the message that the speaker has neglected to thoroughly investigate their own ideas before relaying them.
Overusing the Word Just
The frequent use of the word “just” is a verbal screen that makes a request seem not that important. This can be a big contribution that seems like a minor interruption, which could result in others appreciating the contribution a bit less.
Prefacing With I Am No Expert
It’s a bad idea to begin with a disclaimer about your expertise since it can immediately deflate the good points to come. Some of their ideas are more valuable simply because they are not professional but come with no self-imposed discount.
Mentioning That It Is Only My Opinion
Sometimes it is useful to accept a thought as “just an opinion” to protect it from disagreement. In a professional context, however, this may suggest to others a lack of in-depth research or credibility in a point of view.
Saying I Will Try to Do It
Commitment is not the same as effort, and promising to try could allow for failure. A more specific word choice can evoke the sense of trust and reliability and help others feel more confident about the intended result.
Expressing Way Too Much Gratitude
Thanks is a very good thing, but excessive thanks to someone for doing their job may change the dynamics. A balance of gratitude means the person who expresses it is equally grateful without sounding subservient or inferior when at work.
Using Hesitant Words Like Basically
“Basically” or “actually” may sometimes sound condescending or uncertain in some instances. It can often be useful to remove the unhelpful modifiers in the main message to make it much more plain and make the speaker sound much more direct.
Relying on Whatever or You Know
Using general tags at the end of a sentence can leave a thought incomplete and lead to lazy writing. When you spend the time to fully explain a point, then the message will be received as you intended with no room for interpretation in the conclusion.
Adding “Does That Work for You?”
It’s important to be courteous, but asking for permission for everything you do will come across as passive. Having a clear plan and waiting for feedback can be more collaborative and decisive than needing constant validation on small steps.
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