Words hold power. Some of the most powerful words are the words you use every day. These words can easily and unknowingly diminish your message and intent. Powerful people know what words to stay away from and maintain their influence and impact. Powerful people know that when it comes to language, less is more.
Here is
your opportunity to increase your power by decreasing your usage of these seven
types of words:
1.
“Just” (protector words)
The word
“just” diminishes the content that follows this word. It is a “protector” word,
a word that softens what you want to achieve. When you say, “I’m just
following-up on my below e-mail…,” you are downplaying the importance of your
e-mail and why you are reaching out. You are softening your request for a
response.
If you
are taking the time and energy to follow-up on an unanswered e-mail, it is
important. Do not make it look unimportant when it is important to you. This can
come across as passive aggressive, which can create resentment and lessen your
authority.
2.
“Very,” “Absolutely” and “Totally” (drama words)
Words such
as “very,” “absolutely” or “totally” do not add value to the noun you want to
describe or highlight. You do not need to say, “I’m very excited.” Saying “I’m
excited” does the trick. Superfluous adverbs and adjectives can add unnecessary
drama. When you appreciate the power of words, you use less of them to
communicate the same thing. When you use fewer words, each word becomes more
powerful and can be better appreciated by others.
(Photo
courtesy of Shutterstock)
3. “I
think…” or “Arguably” (protector words)
Each and
every thought you put out there is your opinion. You do not need to preface your
ideas with “I think.” Similar to the word “just,” “I think” and “arguably” are
protector words. It broadcasts to the world that you may be wrong but that is
okay because it is only what you think. It is a way to protect yourself from
attack, should someone hold a different opinion.
Words
you may be using to try and protect yourself are undermining your power. You are
entitled to your opinion. Don’t undermine your authority to have one. Sharing
your opinion without hesitation, even if others disagree, can help to garner
respect.
4. “I’ll
try” and “Don’t worry about it.” (ability words)
Saying
that you will try to do something suggests that you are unsure of your
abilities. If you say you will do something, people know that you will try.
Saying, “I’ll try” can make people feel nervous. The last thing you want your
manager to think is that you lack confidence in yourself or even your ability to
try.
When you
express too much confidence and say “Don’t worry about it,” you leave people in
the dark about what you are doing and belittle them as you may think that they
cannot do something. Leaders empower others, not strip them of their
power.
5.
“Sorry” (apology words)
The more
you apologize, the less powerful your apology becomes. Use “sorry” sparingly.
Use it only for instances directly caused by you and not for instances out of
your control. For example, you are late to a meeting because of a car accident
that happened two blocks from work. You may share why you are late, but you do
not need to apologize for it.
6.
“Like,” “Whatever,” “Etcetera” and “…and so on and so forth” (filler
words)
Keep the
“likes” and similar phrases to a minimum. These are common filler words. People
use them when they are trying to think of what they want to say next. It dilutes
the potency of the words you use. Instead, pause for a moment to collect your
thoughts.
7.
“Actually” and “Obviously” (superior words)
Words
such as “actually” and “obviously” can rub people the wrong way. These words
suggest that the other person does not understand the issue or circumstance (and
that you are right) or understands something (when they may not). Making
assumptions about other people’s levels of understanding shows your lack of
understanding and can annoy or frustrate others and cause people to disrespect
you.
Ordinary
words have the power to throw your message off course and undermine what you
want to accomplish. To increase your power, think about the words you use. If
used properly, language is your opportunity to empower yourself and your
career.
SOURCE:
AVERY BLANK
FORBES
MEGAZINE
Here is
your opportunity to increase your power by decreasing your usage of these seven
types of words:
1.
“Just” (protector words)
The word
“just” diminishes the content that follows this word. It is a “protector” word,
a word that softens what you want to achieve. When you say, “I’m just
following-up on my below e-mail…,” you are downplaying the importance of your
e-mail and why you are reaching out. You are softening your request for a
response.
If you
are taking the time and energy to follow-up on an unanswered e-mail, it is
important. Do not make it look unimportant when it is important to you. This can
come across as passive aggressive, which can create resentment and lessen your
authority.
2.
“Very,” “Absolutely” and “Totally” (drama words)
Words such
as “very,” “absolutely” or “totally” do not add value to the noun you want to
describe or highlight. You do not need to say, “I’m very excited.” Saying “I’m
excited” does the trick. Superfluous adverbs and adjectives can add unnecessary
drama. When you appreciate the power of words, you use less of them to
communicate the same thing. When you use fewer words, each word becomes more
powerful and can be better appreciated by others.
(Photo
courtesy of Shutterstock)
3. “I
think…” or “Arguably” (protector words)
Each and
every thought you put out there is your opinion. You do not need to preface your
ideas with “I think.” Similar to the word “just,” “I think” and “arguably” are
protector words. It broadcasts to the world that you may be wrong but that is
okay because it is only what you think. It is a way to protect yourself from
attack, should someone hold a different opinion.
Words
you may be using to try and protect yourself are undermining your power. You are
entitled to your opinion. Don’t undermine your authority to have one. Sharing
your opinion without hesitation, even if others disagree, can help to garner
respect.
4. “I’ll
try” and “Don’t worry about it.” (ability words)
Saying
that you will try to do something suggests that you are unsure of your
abilities. If you say you will do something, people know that you will try.
Saying, “I’ll try” can make people feel nervous. The last thing you want your
manager to think is that you lack confidence in yourself or even your ability to
try.
When you
express too much confidence and say “Don’t worry about it,” you leave people in
the dark about what you are doing and belittle them as you may think that they
cannot do something. Leaders empower others, not strip them of their
power.
5.
“Sorry” (apology words)
The more
you apologize, the less powerful your apology becomes. Use “sorry” sparingly.
Use it only for instances directly caused by you and not for instances out of
your control. For example, you are late to a meeting because of a car accident
that happened two blocks from work. You may share why you are late, but you do
not need to apologize for it.
6.
“Like,” “Whatever,” “Etcetera” and “…and so on and so forth” (filler
words)
Keep the
“likes” and similar phrases to a minimum. These are common filler words. People
use them when they are trying to think of what they want to say next. It dilutes
the potency of the words you use. Instead, pause for a moment to collect your
thoughts.
7.
“Actually” and “Obviously” (superior words)
Words
such as “actually” and “obviously” can rub people the wrong way. These words
suggest that the other person does not understand the issue or circumstance (and
that you are right) or understands something (when they may not). Making
assumptions about other people’s levels of understanding shows your lack of
understanding and can annoy or frustrate others and cause people to disrespect
you.
Ordinary
words have the power to throw your message off course and undermine what you
want to accomplish. To increase your power, think about the words you use. If
used properly, language is your opportunity to empower yourself and your
career.
SOURCE:
AVERY BLANK
FORBES
MEGAZINE
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