We recently worked with the head of research for a major corporation.
In presenting the findings of three studies, he prefaced his results with "I think."
The second statement came with a "maybe. "The third was watered down with a "probably."
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Bob Elliott of Boca Grande
Unfortunately for him, he sounded more like a timid game show contestant than the head of research for a major company.
Why do so many people precede declarative statements with qualifiers such as "I think," "maybe" and probably?" These words dilute your role and your credibility.
Don't say: "I think we need this program."
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Editors' note: Bob Elliott, creator of the Boca Grande Camera club and board member of the Boca Grande Art Alliance, spent a career improving communications at large corporations such as Pfizer, Cigna and Westinghouse, where he witnessed many of the faux paus detailed in the book "Make Your Point," which he co-wrote with Kevin Carroll. As a communications consultant he developed relationships with top American companies such as General Electric, MasterCard and Wal-Mart and also worked with personalities such as model-actress Cindy Crawford and tennis star Jimmy Connors. The preceding was an excerpt from "Make Your Point,"which is available at amazon.com.
Say: "We need this program."
Don't say: "Maybe this program will resolve the issue."
Say: I'm confident this program will resolve the issue."
"Don't say: People will probably react to this program favorably."
Say: "experience shows similar programs have impressed people."
Often the term " I think" pops into your conversations involuntary. It's almost like an umm or an ahh. It's a weak affectation.
Tape yourself and listen for the "I thinks," probablys" and "maybes."
Qualifiers should not dilute declarative statements unless you intentionally want to soften the statement.
Editors' note: Bob Elliott, creator of the Boca Grande Camera club and board member of the Boca Grande Art Alliance, spent a career improving communications at large corporations such as Pfizer, Cigna and Westinghouse, where he witnessed many of the faux paus detailed in the book "Make Your Point," which he co-wrote with Kevin Carroll. As a communications consultant he developed relationships with top American companies such as General Electric, MasterCard and Wal-Mart and also worked with personalities such as model-actress Cindy Crawford and tennis star Jimmy Connors. The preceding was an excerpt from "Make Your Point,"which is available at amazon.com.
