{"id":8231,"date":"2023-08-06T00:45:59","date_gmt":"2023-08-06T00:45:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mysourcefunding.com\/leadership\/6-words-that-undermine-your-impact-as-a-leader-6-better-alternatives\/"},"modified":"2023-08-06T00:45:59","modified_gmt":"2023-08-06T00:45:59","slug":"6-words-that-undermine-your-impact-as-a-leader-6-better-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mysourcefunding.com\/?p=8231","title":{"rendered":"6 Words That Undermine Your Impact As A Leader & 6 Better Alternatives"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Words have power. Think about it: words make you look confident or powerful, insecure or weak, reliable or flakey. As a leadership coach I\u2019m constantly noticing the words that leaders use\u2026 and the effect they have on their teams.<\/p>\n

Here are 6 words that diminish your power and diminish the confidence others feel in you. You\u2019ll also see helpful alternatives too:<\/p>\n

1. But \u2013 this takes the wind out of one\u2019s proverbial sails. It negates or reduces the benefit of what was said before it. <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a terrific salesperson, but your reports are often late.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Consider Yet or And instead.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a terrific salesperson, and yet your reports are often late. What will you do to change this?\u201d Feel the difference? The call to action to rise up and improve?<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/fbs-ad><\/p>\n

2. Should \u2013 this word can be blamey, make someone wrong, or even highlight victim mentality.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThis should be easier.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Consider Could or Would instead.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis could\/would be easier if we simply ____________.\u201d Notice the solution focus? The outcome focus versus powerlessness?<\/em><\/p>\n

3. Try \u2013 remember Yoda\u2019s wise words to Luke Skywalker \u201cNo, try not. Do or do not, there is no try.\u201d Try is hedging language, it\u2019s giving yourself an out in case you want to be flakey. It\u2019s non-committal and weak. Leaders don\u2019t try. They do<\/em>. <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll try to make that deadline.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Consider putting a stake in the ground and saying Will instead.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will make that deadline.\u201d Then people will trust that you will indeed come through for them.<\/em><\/p>\n

4. Problem \u2013 are there truly problems? Or maybe there are simply challenges to overcome or opportunities to seize? When we focus on the problem we stay in Critter State, where we bask in fight, flight, freeze. Yuck. <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cHouston, we have a problem.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

You\u2019re better than this. Consider saying Challenge or Opportunity instead.<\/p>\n

\u201cHouston, we have a challenge. And here\u2019s what we\u2019re going to do about it.\u201d Let\u2019s take the initiative and fix stuff.<\/em><\/p>\n

5. Maybe or Might \u2013 again, hedging language, where a person is non-committal and gives themselves an exit clause.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI might ask for help on this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Instead, say what is:<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll ask for help on this if I find I need it.\u201d Feel the difference? The recipient now knows you\u2019ll speak up if needed.<\/em><\/p>\n

6. Just \u2013 this is a tricky word, as it slightly diminishes or trivializes what you\u2019re talking about. It can also feel victimy or blamey.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI just want to be understood.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Instead, tell it like it is:<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to be understood, so I\u2019ll check in to ensure my communication is clear.\u201d Way to own it! Woo!<\/em><\/p>\n

Notice your language, edit it, and you\u2019ll enjoy the improved experience of trust and leadership others have of you.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Read the full article here<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Words have power. Think about it: words make you look confident or powerful, insecure or weak, reliable or flakey. As a leadership coach I\u2019m constantly noticing the words that leaders use\u2026 and the effect they have on their teams. Here are 6 words that diminish your power and diminish the confidence others feel in you. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8232,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[76],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-8231","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-leadership"},"yoast_head":"\n6 Words That Undermine Your Impact As A Leader & 6 Better Alternatives | Brandiary<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Words have power. Think about it: words make you look confident or powerful, insecure or weak, reliable or flakey. 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