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Key Takeaways Dropping qualifiers like “I think” and apologies from your speech can dramatically enhance your credibility as a leader.
Confident communication involves directness and intentionality, which reflects positively on executive presence and storytelling skills.
Regular speech audits and constructive feedback are essential for progressive improvement in leadership communication.
The language you use, or don’t use, can have a significant impact on how others perceive you as a leader. As an executive coach to tech leaders, I often work with professionals who are trying to bolster their confidence and improve their influence. My goal isn’t to make them become someone they’re not. It’s to help them slow down and be mindful and intentional with their language so they come across as more confident executives and storytellers.
While there’s no quick fix to refining your communication, the following are common phrases to stop using if you want to be perceived as a more confident leader.
1. “I think…”
It’s already clear that what you’re about to share is your thought. You can skip “I think…” and simply say what you mean. You can throw “I believe” and “I guess” into this bucket, too.
The phrases water down your credibility and weaken the true power of your message. State your ideas directly and confidently so the listener’s attention is on the substance of your story, not your qualifier.
2. “I might be wrong, but…”
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