Eliminate These Words To Be A Better Leader

Are the words and phrases you're using hindering your ability to communicate with upper management? Is your vocabulary weakening your motivational message to your your team? You spend your day influencing and impacting those around you in a positive manner. And yet chances are, you are unintentionally using language that is undermining your career.

Words and phrases to stop using TODAY:

1. Like (you're not a teenager anymore)

2. If you have a minute

3. This may be a dumb question, but

4. Maybe I should

5. I think (when making a recommendation or suggestion)

6. I am not an expert

7. This may not work

8. I might

9. Actually

10. I’m thinking of

11. SORRY…(the worst offender)

This is not an easy change to implement and doesn't happen overnight. Begin with eliminating one or two phrases each week. Start with your written content because it is easier to re-read and delete in emails and documents than it is while speaking. Try the Just Not Sorry plugin.

As you focus on this in your writing, you will notice a difference in your speaking too. Slow down while talking. Think about what you want to say before you speak.

Then share this knowledge with your team and colleagues. Let them know you want to help them excel their careers and this is a relatively easy way to do it.

I have a lot of practice with this with a teenager and a tween at home. I am constantly, much to their annoyance, asking them to repeat themselves without the word ‘like’. Try it today!

What language do you notice is weak? What other words would you recommend taking out of your vocabulary? Email me at JHolunga@ChinookExecutiveSolutions.com

Thanks to our guest blogger, Julie Holunga at Chinook Executive Solutions