As an executive coach, I always tell my clients to take the negative and “soft” words out of their verbal and written vocabulary and replace it with positive and strong words. It makes an amazing difference in how you come across in your delivery, and how people see you as positive and composed.
Here are 10 common words that you could drop from your everyday conversations, both written and verbal, and sound confident and sure of yourself every time.
1. Might
Be careful when you tell people you “might” do something. Are you sure about that? No one is asking you to solve world peace. When you say you “might” finish a report, it implies you lack some ability, don’t manage your time well, or have too many priorities.
2. Won’t
Here’s an obvious word to avoid. Anyone who says he or she “won’t” do something or “won’t” attend a meeting is generating a negative vibe. Be more decisive: Either accept an invitation or reject it; using the word won’t suggests hesitancy.
3. Usually
This is a trigger word that makes it obvious to everyone that you don’t have all the facts. If you say the accounting department “usually” doesn’t approve your expense report or the boss is “usually” late to work, it means you’re stretching the truth.
4. Suspect
Unless you are talking about a suspect in a trial, avoid saying you “suspect” anything. You’re not Sherlock Holmes. Just use direct terms: You know an investor is pulling out of the project, and here’s why; or you have facts to support your conclusion on a new marketing plan.
5. Impossible
I’ll bet Mark Zuckerberg has never used the word impossible. The recipient will lose confidence in you quickly. State why something might be hard or difficult or just don’t agree to a course of action. Don’t bother telling people it’s impossible.
6. Worried
We all worry about the stresses of life. Telling people you are worried makes it seem as if you lack confidence in your abilities. If you are worried, don’t bother saying that to anyone–just express what you are concerned about and offer solutions.
7. Confused
Expressing your confusion will create even more confusion. It’s better to just say what you are confused about and ask questions. Saying you are “confused” gives people the impression that either you don’t understand something or that the topic is confusing to you.
8. Need
We all have needs in life. When you express those needs over and over again, it makes you look needy. I “need” you to come to work early, I “need” you to get that report done. Avoid saying “need” and express requirements more directly.
9. Quandary
Have you sent a message and said you were in a “quandary”? You should know that the word means you are in a total state of perplexity. I mean, you are really perplexed. That’s not often the case when it comes to a new business proposal or fundraising round.
10. Likely
Few of us are in the business of predicting the future. If you say something is “likely”, you are expressing to the recipient that you are not really sure about the topic, and you don’t have all the facts yet. It’s likely that you just lack confidence.
When you make small changes like taking the negative words out of your vocabulary, you will see a big difference build in your confidence, both in how you feel about your self and how others view you.
Make it a great day!