Leadership coach Terre Short says that while what you should say gets a lot of attention, it may actually be more important to know what you shouldn't say. Here are some words and phrases Short says you should stop saying ASAP.
- If - Uncertainty is so 2020⦠Short recommends replacing all your āifā statements with āwhenā statements moving forward. According to Short, āifā comes from a place of burden and apprehensiveness but āwhenā is hopeful.ā
- I Think - Want to be a leader or at least start sounding like one? Drop āI thinkā from your vocabulary. Short believes that āwhen we say āI think,ā we insert doubt and suggest a lack of confidence, knowledge, and ownership.ā
- Just - If you think back on all the times youāve used ājustā in a sentence youāll notice that the one common thread in all of them is that youāre minimizing something. And oftentimes, itās yourself, like when youāre telling someone youāre ājustā an assistant or ājustā in sales. Stop selling yourself short. From now on, youāre not just anything.
- Might - People want clarity and accountability, and adding the word āmightā in your messaging does not provide either, says Short. āIt reminds me of Yoda saying, āDo or do not. There is no try,'ā she says. āāMightā comes from a place of apprehension. Consider why that is. If your apprehension serves no purpose, step into a more assertive word choice, such as āI willā or āWe will.'ā
SOURCE: Fast Company