Did you know that you could be hurting your credibility with something as simple as your choice of words? Being aware of this fact can help you in a whole multitude of different scenarios, not least when you’re being grilled during an interview. Here are words that you should avoid in order to keep your credibility intact:
1. Hedges
Examples: "Sort of," "kind of," "pretty much," and "maybe"
We tend to use hedges when we don’t want to say something outright. The end result of using them is a perceived lack of confidence, which can be especially detrimental in the workplace. Paralysis with self-doubt is never a good a look for anyone, as giving this impression implies that you’ll have trouble taking decisions in the future.
2. Intensifiers
Examples: "Really," "definitely," "absolutely," and "totally"
Although we use intensifiers to place emphasis on how good or bad something is or was, it usually has the opposite effect to the desired one. For instance, telling someone how really, really great a vacation was might lead them to believe that it wasn’t that great at all seeing as you’re making such a point to insist that it was. In addition, intensifiers can make you seem overly dramatic, which can also result in a loss of credibility.
3. Fillers
Examples: "Like," "um," "er," and "ah"
You should resist the urge to fill the silence when you stop talking, because it just adds uncertainty and awkwardness to a conversation. You just need to stop yourself from using fillers whenever you can, because they just take credibility away from the discussion or conversation at hand.
4. Apologizing
Example: "Sorry"
Starting your sentences with an apology is never a good idea. In the workplace, constantly saying sorry can cause your employer to question your abilities, and this is because people perceive those who are overly-apologetic as being unable to stand up and take ownership of their ideas.
Why we use these words
In almost any setting we find ourselves in, we’re communicating impressions of ourselves. We want to help our statements get across to other parties in any way we can, so we choose to decorate them by using words such as “literally” and “really” in the hope that our message is conveyed more successfully. The thing is, however, that usually the opposite occurs.
How to stop using them
All you need to do to stop using these words is to listen to yourself with intent and develop an awareness of what you’re saying. Listen to your own speech, be open to feedback from your friends and make changes where you see fit to. With regard to all of the above, none of these credibility-diminishing words are terrible when used in isolation, but overusing them will definitely weaken your credibility.
Content source: Business Insider
Images (including cover) by Deposit Photos.
Related Articles:
8 Tips to Help You Stop Taking Things so Personally
10 Rules That Will Help You Clear Your Thoughts
Hurricane Season is Now In Full Swing. Are You Prepared?
Hurricanes are violent tropical storms that often form in the Atlantic Ocean. Find out all about them and how to prepare for them if you live in their path.
Make Sure Never To Use a Vacuum On These Household Items
Vacuum cleaners are the most effective tool against spills and messes but it can have disastrous results if you decide to clean up these spills with a vacuum
A Complete Guide to Solving Your Problems
Your ability to solve problems, or lack thereof, has a great bearing on whether you can be happy and successful. Try these 3 problem-solving methods.
7 Items You Should Never Clean with Paper Towels
As useful as they are, paper towels are not fit for any task. Here are 7 items you should never clean with paper towels.
Avoid These Pork Cooking Mistakes!
As versatile and delicious as pork may be it there are a lot of potential errors when it comes to cooking it. Here are the 12 most common mistakes to avoid.
Here's How Often You Should Be Cleaning Home Essentials
We need to clean things in our home regularly in order for us to maintain them and ensure good hygiene. This guide will show you exactly how often you should.
14 Uses for Rice that Have Nothing to do With Eating
Rice is an incredibly versatile grain - you can do much more with it than just cook it and eat it! Find out 14 uses for the grain that you never knew.
Why This Sleep Condition Affects Our Cognitive Abilities
What is the link between sleep apnea and a reduction in cognitive abilities? Let's find out...
20 Incredibly Useful Matchbox Tips from a Century Ago
Did you know that matchboxes used to contain a bit of handy advice? Here are 20 tips from our ancestors.
39 Smart Cleaning Tips You Just Have to Try
You can never know enough about cleaning. In This Video you can finds 39 great cleaning tips to make your life much simpler.
How to Clean and Organize a Leather or Fabric Wallet
Your wallet has more germs than a toilet, but most rarely clean theirs. This guide will walk you through deep cleaning and organizing your wallet.
These Tips Will Help You Keep Your Car In Order
These hacks will help you get shinier headlights, organize your interior, and provide a nifty hack to help you remove a small car dent and lots more.
Make Your Daily Life Easier with These Great Home Tips!
Here are 22 easy to apply tricks will make your life hassle free. Some of them are so simple you’ll wonder why you didn't think of them first.
The Devil Is in the Detail, Even When it Comes to Cleaning...
This guide shows you how to clean every room in your home, as well as specific parts of each one. You won't find a more detailed home cleaning guide than this.
Here's How You Can Declutter Your Home in Just One Month
If you're looking to declutter your home but don't know where to begin, these 12 tips might just help you out!
How Observant Are You? Can You Spot What's Wrong Here?
So how's your observational skills and eye for detail? Can you identify what's wrong with this picture? See if you can spot all 21 mistakes.
5 Things to Start Doing Every Day If Things Feel Stressed
Here are 5 priceless key tips that can make your life more productive and less stressful!
I Never Imagined That I Could Use Cucumbers in These Ways
Take a look at the video below and see how cucumbers can help save you some money in 10 different ways.
You Definitely Should Try These Amazing Cleaning Hacks
If blotches and stains are putting an dampener on how the interior of your home looks, be sure to learn these 20 unusual but super neat hacks.
These Cool Charts Will Make Your Christmas So Much Better
These cool charts will make your Christmas so much better.
Hydrators vs. Moisturizers: Who Should Use What?
This article would like to provide clarity on the various types of moisturizers and help you understand what your skin truly requires.
Boost Your Happiness in These 22 Small, Easy Ways
Do these little things every day, to make you feel happy.
40 Common Tourist Traps to Avoid on Your Next Vacation!
If you're planning a trip abroad, please be aware of these 40 common tourist scams!
Exploring the Fascinating History of Popcorn!
exploring the history and evolution of this irresistible snack - popcorn!
These Natural Cleaning Solutions Will Remove Anything!
Who would have thought that countless chores around your home can be tackled with these easy, natural cleaning solutions?
Insecure In a Social Situation? Here Are A Few Tricks
How to avoid being influenced by others? Or make sure somebody likes you? This video offers tricks to handling nearly any difficult social situation.
Avoid These 13 Domestic Chemical Reactions and Be Safe
There are certain chemicals and substances that shouldn't mix together, because the result could be catastrophic. Make note of these 13 combinations now.
DIY: Make Your Own Chemical Free Gel Air Freshener
Gel air fresheners smell wonderful, but they're often filled with chemicals. Make your own chemical-free air freshener with this DIY.
Choose the SAFE Way to Remove Mold From Your Home
Mold is not only unsightly, it can also be a health risk. Learn how to recognize it and get rid of it with ease.
This Non-Toxic Spray Will Keep Your Grandkids' Toys Clean
Children love to get their toys dirty, and this non-toxic cleaner will leave them looking as good as new.
13 Things to Do Immediately if Your Home Has Been Burgled
Has your house been broken into recently? This guide will help.
6 Stress-Relieving Cuddly Companions for Your Home
You must have these stress-relieving companions for your home.
31 Genius Uses for Lemon That Are Worth Knowing
Did you know that lemons could help you clean, cultivate, and even give first aid? Discover 31 brilliant uses of lemon....
Clean the Things You Thought Were Impossible Easily
Thought you couldn't clean these items easily? This guide will help.
How to Deal with an Emotional Extortionist
Emotional extortionists (also known as "Emotional Vampires") are people who prey on other people's emotions, knowingly or unknowingly, to get what they want.
29 Psychological Tricks that Make You Spend More Money!
What are the psychological tactics used by salespeople, marketers, and retailers that make us buy more?
7 Myths About Burning Calories
Burning calories is something we all want, but we need to know what we're doing first, and that means disproving these 7 common but misguided myths about calorie burning.
Get Rid of Your Dog's Worms Using These 10 Home Remedies
At some point in their lives, most dogs will suffer from intestinal worms. Should this happen to your dog, here are 10 home remedies to help deworm them.
35 Cooking Hacks That'll Make Your Life a Whole Lot Easier
These 35 cooking hacks will make your life in the kitchen a whole lot easier.
7 Tips to Ensure You Never Buy a Bad Watermelon Again!
Watermelons are delicious, but before you buy one heed these 7 traits that indicate that the watermelon that you’re about to buy is bad.
If You Have Gum on Your Clothes, Here's How to Remove It!
It's extremely annoying when you get a piece of chewing gum stuck to your clothes. Thankfully, there are many ways to remove it easily!
5 Different Christmas Plants and How to Care for Them
In this guide, you'll find some tips on how to keep it alive throughout the season, and how to maintain it for next year.
Who Knew Duct Tape Prevents Blisters & Has All These Uses!
Is any one object more multitasking than duct tape? We really doubt that, and here are just 18 genius ways you can start using it right away
8 Surprising Ways to Combat Continuous Hair Loss
Hair loss CAN be remedied, and here are 8 of the best natural home solutions.
Stop Wasting Avocados By Learning This Simple Trick
This excellent video will show you the simple way of freezing the quick-decaying avocados so you can enjoy them later.
Maintain Your Brain: 15 Methods to Improve Brain Function
Like our muscles, the brain can also be strengthened and maintained in excellent condition, with proper practice. Learn 15 simple ways to train your brain today!
14 Little Known Ways to Save on Gas While Driving!
If you take heed of these 14 easy pieces of advice, you will end up saving hundreds of dollars each year on gas.