When speaking with a client, a
boss, or even a coworker, you want them to take you seriously. You don’t want
to give any reasons to doubt your credibility, but there are seemingly innocent
words that you might be using that are working against you.
Like
It’s
fine to use “like” in reference to similes, Facebook approval, or a strong
positive feeling. Where “like” goes wrong is when it’s used as a filler or in
substitution of a better verb. The overuse of like conjures up images from
“Valley Girl” and “Clueless.” While those movies are pop culture classics, it’s
not the professional image you want to leave with your clients. Using this
word incorrectly can take power away from what you’re saying and make you sound
callow.
This
can be a tough one to fix for some people, but it’s doable. When you’re
persistently conscious of every word you say, you’ll notice how often you use
“like”, and it will be easier to stop. You’ll start to catch yourself from
saying it. Once you stop, you will sound much more polished.
Almost
I’m almost finished. I almost
made it. I almost got the job.
While this word seems okay, all
it does is mask the truth. What it’s really saying is I didn’t finish, I didn’t
make it, I didn’t get the job. This word doesn’t portray you as the confident,
successful professional that you are. It alludes to missed chances and lack of
work ethic. Instead of using almost, give the progress you’ve made and an
approximate time it will take to finish.
Almost only counts in horseshoes
and hand grenades, so let’s stop using it in the workplace.
You Know
The
problem with “you know” is that when it’s overused, the listener often does not know. Someone will be describing
an experience, then trail off to “you know” or use it as a filler. They don’t
know! That’s why you were explaining it, you know?
You
can erase “you know” at the end of almost every sentence you say, and it will
still make sense. If you need to add something to the end of what you’re
saying, give an explanation so the listener better understands. You will also
sound more professional that way.
Try
As cheesy and overused as it is,
“do or do not, there is no try” is a great mantra when it comes to your work
credibility. When you tell someone you will try to do something, it implies
that you don’t care enough to actually follow through. You lose your
credibility when you continue to try, but never actually DO.
Instead of saying, “I tried to
call Business Y”, use “I called Business Y twice now, left 1 message, and will
be following up next Thursday.” This shows you have consciously set an action
plan instead of “trying” and just giving up.
Might
Might is a lot like try- there’s
no tangible way to measure something you might do (or even worse, “might try to
do”). You will never build credibility based on “might”. Instead of saying “I
might do that”, change it to “I will do that”. It banishes any uncertainty and
shows that you are being proactive. It will also hold you accountable, making
you look more reliable when you follow through.
Wish
Don’t wish for something to
happen, make it happen. Every time you say “I wish…” change it to “I will…”
Instead of sounding like a
daydreamer, you sound like a driven person with goals. “I will have Business Y
as my client” sounds a lot better than “I wish Business Y was my client.”
Literally
If you
are using “literally” in a sentence, it means you are describing something as
it actually happened and not exaggerating. When you are using it to try and
make a story more exciting or a situation worse than it truly was, people can
see right through it. You don’t want this to happen with a client. It would
literally be the worst thing to happen (kidding).
All
jokes aside, this is a word you should focus on removing from your everyday
vocabulary. Exaggerating your stories will hurt your credibility versus
establishing it. Instead of trying to fluff up what you’re saying, just say it
how it is. Be real with people, and they’ll do the same with you.
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