And why your words matter more than you think.
Let’s get one thing straight: sounding smart isn’t about using big words. It’s about using the right words.
And as a leader, the way you speak carries weight. Every Slack message, Zoom call, and team meeting shapes how people perceive you—and how they trust you. But too often, even the most capable leaders fall into the trap of using language that unintentionally undermines their confidence, credibility, or clarity.
Here’s how to stop sounding like a soft-spoken intern and start sounding like a grounded, powerful leader.
1. Stop Undermining Yourself Before You Even Begin
We often use “softeners” to seem polite or non-threatening. But in leadership, these weaken your voice.
Common culprits:
- “I’m not an expert, but…”
- “I could be wrong, but…”
- “Just my two cents…”
- “This might be stupid, but…”
✅ Smarter swaps:
- “Here’s my take.”
- “From my perspective…”
- “Based on our goals, I suggest…”
These swaps don’t make you sound bossy—they make you sound clear and competent.
2. Ditch the “To Be Honest” Crutch
When you say “To be honest”, “Can I be real?”, or “Let me be transparent here…”—you’re implying that everything before now wasn’t honest or real.
Other phrases that subtly discredit you:
- “Truthfully…”
- “Honestly…”
- “If I’m being real…”
✅ Try instead:
- “Here’s what I’m seeing.”
- “This is what I know.”
- “Let’s look at the facts.”
People don’t need to be warned that you’re telling the truth. Say what needs to be said—directly and respectfully.
3. Cut the “Actuallys,” “Literals,” and Fluff Adverbs
Filler words kill clarity and add nothing. Worse—they can make you sound unsure, juvenile, or even condescending.
Common offenders:
- “Actually, I think we should…”
- “This is literally the best idea ever.”
- “Basically…”
- “Totally…”
- “Really, really good…”
✅ Smarter swaps:
- “Here’s the recommendation I’d make.”
- “This is strong work. Let’s build on it.”
- “Let’s simplify this to…”
Also: stop using “very” to amplify everything. Try replacing it with a stronger word:
- “Very important” → “Essential”
- “Very busy” → “Overloaded”
- “Very good” → “Outstanding”
4. Recognize the Gendered Language Trap
Women especially tend to use minimizing phrases that downplay authority. And while being warm and collaborative is important, leadership also means owning your ideas.
Watch out for:
- “I just wanted to check in…”
- “Sorry to bother you, but…”
- “Does that make sense?”
- “No worries if not!”
✅ Say instead:
- “Checking in on this—can you update me by EOD?”
- “Let me know if you’d like clarification.”
- “What questions do you have?”
You can be kind without being a pushover.
5. Speak Like You Know What You’re Talking About—Because You Do
Don’t dilute your expertise by hedging or apologizing for your ideas.
Common weak phrasing:
- “It might be a dumb question, but…”
- “I think maybe we should…”
- “This probably isn’t right, but…”
- “What do you think?” after already making a strong point.
Strong leaders communicate like this:
- “Let’s explore this option and weigh the outcomes.”
- “We should pivot our strategy based on this data.”
- “I’d like to move forward with this approach—any objections?”
You’re not asking for permission. You’re leading the conversation.
Final Thought:
Being a great communicator doesn’t mean you need to sound perfect or polished. But it does mean being intentional. People will mirror your tone. They’ll take your language as a cue for how confident to feel in your leadership.
So if you’re a founder, manager, or rising leader, here’s your challenge:
Audit your words. Speak clearly. Drop the fluff.
And back yourself.
Because when you do? People listen.
Need help hiring confident, capable communicators who know how to lead teams and speak with clarity?
Good People helps mission-driven companies build teams full of smart, thoughtful talent—people who show up with both heart and presence.
