Little words…
Sorry… Kind of. Just a little. Actually…
Little words that aren’t so little after all.
With my latest clients we’ve been discussing diminishing language.
The kind that creeps surreptitiously into our communication
to lessen its impact.
Sowing seeds of self-doubt. Justification, hesitation, uncertainty.
“I’d just like to give you a little update on the project.”
“Sorry if this is not relevant, but…”
“Actually, I’m not sure I agree.”
“Does that make sense?”
Am I even making sense?
Our work matters.
Our words deserve a delivery of confidence and conviction,
yet we’ve learned to cushion them, to hold back and manage expectations.
Listen out for those undermining words in your speech.
And little by little, gently take them out.
Photo by Paolo Nicolello on Unsplash