Six Verbs that make you sound weak (regardless of your job title)
Sometimes, the slightest words and phrases impact how you are regarded in the workplace. Here are a few things to look out for at each level.
Your job title is one of many factors determining your level of influence. Every word you say at work reflects your brand, from confidence and authority to depth of knowledge. And it is verbs–the action words that should constitute the heart of a sentence–that most frequently trip us up.
Overusing weak verbs can also make you sound weaker. They can undermine your potential to inspire others and give the impression to listeners–from top executives and coworkers to direct reports–that you lack confidence in yourself. So, while there is always room for uncertainty in the workplace, you should limit your use of these verbs. By replacing these weak verbs with more assertive ones, you can inspire confidence in your audience and enhance your influence.
1. “Think”
Who doesn’t use the phrase “I think?” Your boss might say, “I think we should move ahead with this project,” or your coworker might say, “I think you’ve got a good idea.” Isn’t it harmless enough?
The only issue is that “think” does not sound conclusive. It gently diminishes the potency of whatever follows it. “Think” comes from the Old English word “þencan” or “thencan,” which means to “conceive in the mind, consider, meditate.” In other words, you’re implying that you’re still debating the stance you advocate–that you’re not confident about it.
“I think” is a throwaway word that most people will not notice in everyday conversation, but you should avoid using it at work. While muttering is occasionally acceptable (“I think I’ll have coffee with my friend”), you should avoid using prefatory phrases in professional contexts. say, “You’ve got a good idea,” or even, “That’s an excellent proposal.” If you need an alternative verb, try “I’m confident your plan will work!”
2. “Need”
Consider this scenario: Your employer says, “I need this report as soon as possible.” This seemingly innocuous statement actually undermines her authority. The use of “need” implies a sense of dependency on her part, rather than emphasizing the team’s obligation and responsibility. For instance, a vice president once told a subordinate, “I need you to do something for me.” Her request took on a more desperate tone than one of empowerment. To convey more confidence, it’s better to use firm but polite sentences such as, “Please have this report to me by next Friday.”
3. “Want”
“Want” is remarkably similar to “need”: It implies that the speaker is wanting or deficient in some way. If a supervisor tells a team member, “I want you to improve the quality of your work,” it implies that the boss isn’t receiving what she wants, which she may not be. However, the better method to accomplish what you want is to state the facts: “Your work on this report needs to be of higher quality.” That places the responsibility on the employee.
Similarly, if you tell your manager, “I want a raise,” you’ve made an emotional appeal and demonstrated a lack of confidence. It’s preferable to combine a verb of conviction (“I believe” or “I’m convinced”) with your reasons: “I believe my pay and performance over the last year make a compelling case for a raise.”
4. “Guess”
“Guessing” communicates uncertainty. A CEO once told investors, “Our best guess is that our profit for the end of the year will be marginally better than last year’s.” There were numerous ways he might have rephrased that more confidently: “We expect our profit for the year to be higher than last year’s,” or “Our results should exceed last year’s.”
If you are still determining the results, that is fine! Do not lie or exaggerate. Instead of “guess,” show the most confident face you can.
5. “Hope”
Leaders frequently begin sentences with “I hope”: “I hope we’ll get that sale” or “I hope you’ll be able to take on that assignment.” Rather than instilling confidence, “hope” is prayer-like, implying that the speaker has little influence over the outcome.
What are the alternatives? Instead of stating you “hope” a team will bring in a client sale, use something like, “I’m looking forward to a win” or “I know you’ll give it your all.” These statements are far more empowering. They demonstrate your faith in your team’s capabilities rather than implicitly questioning their future performance.
6. “Suppose”
You’re having coffee with a colleague when he asks if you will attend the forthcoming town hall meeting. If you say, “I suppose so,” you’re implying that it doesn’t matter to you; you’re not engaged.
There is no situation in the job in which communicating your disinterest and inertia will increase your influence or power. Instead, find anything to demonstrate your enthusiasm for (even if it isn’t the meeting itself): “Yes, I’ll be there- I want to hear what management has to say.” While speaking with a colleague, you may not think this matters, but it does. News spreads quickly, and if the words you use frequently convey a “don’t care” attitude, it’s a matter of time until your reputation and influence suffer. By being mindful of the words you use, you can protect and enhance your professional reputation.
Language is a powerful tool in any unplanned encounter. And, since you have more opportunities to utilize them, the simple words and phrases you use daily at work can significantly impact your leadership abilities. Now that you’re aware of these six weak verbs, it’s time to remove them from your vocabulary and watch your power and confidence soar.
Related articles from your friends at Your Career Place. Thank you for visiting YourCareerPlace.com.
https://yourcareerplace.com/career-management-tip/how-to-be-a-great-employee
https://yourcareerplace.com/leadership/the-science-of-leadership