You have heard and seen them before ... those colleagues who sound infinitely more confident and commanding than ever and in such an incredibly pleasant way.

How do they do it?!

How. Do. They. Do. It?!

Is it volume? Tone? Pitch? Do they have one of those unique kinds of voices that draws people to them? Ah ... wait a minute. They were Communication majors in college. That's it. Or are they naturally great communicators, so out the window and off the table are the hopes of cracking the code and discovering their secret sauce?

Not so fast! Yes, we have colleagues who are innately positioned to consistently deliver a message and deliver it well. And others may have formal education or training in the areas of voice and diction.

Or - and this is the part you really want to hear (read) - in all frankness, none of that matters because, my friends, I have cracked the code! I have the secret sauce. And you are not going to believe how EASY it is! What's more is you are not going to believe that you already know how to do it!

Are you ready? This is for you, Nona!

(Because of the lists provided; this is best viewed on a laptop or desktop device rather than on a mobile device.)

The code ... the secret is ... word choice.

That's it!

Word choice.

Those powerful speakers - even in impromptu, unscripted moments - use power words, and that is, in large part, what makes them stand tall and shine. That is what makes us sit up and listen. That is how they make a statement and indisputably compel us to pay more and more attention. You want to tune in because they instantly give you the right feeling; they sound like they believe and have conviction in what they are saying, which causes YOU to have a similar belief and conviction.

Here is a list of words and phrases we commonly use but that should be replaced to communicate a stronger, more impactful message, and when you use them, people will start to wonder what is YOUR secret sauce!

Not convinced? Consider these sentence pairs, and decide which gives the better impression.

1. I hope this was helpful. VERSUS I trust this was helpful.

2. I may be able to do that. VERSUS I will do that.

3. I suggest we share this with others. VERSUS I recommend we discuss this with others.

4. If we review the problem and make some changes, then we might see a difference. VERSUS When we review the challenge and make the necessary changes, we will definitely see a difference.

And another secret is powerful speakers limit their use of filler words; get rid of these six filler words today to make yourself sound more confident and credible.

So now, it's your turn! What words or phrases are missing from the list? Add them in a comment below, and let's explore together!

On a final note, bear in mind words are the starting point; the post at this link will give you a small, everyday change that will improve your public speaking skills. Or for those who want to put power behind your written words, you will want the list of the five most persuasive words to use in content at this post!

###

Did you enjoy this post? Get more communication strategies in Show Up and Show Out: 52 Communication Habits to Make You Unforgettable.

Are you an event planner looking for a speaker who will motivate your team with high-energy workshops, breakout sessions, keynotes, or interactive webinars? Do you need a go-getter speaker for your next business meeting, team retreat, or company sales meeting—a speaker who will engage the audience, make them laugh, and give everyone real takeaways?

Bridgett McGowen is that speaker, and she is currently booking in-person and webinar engagements that will give your audience a different experience.

Click HERE to check her availability and to book Bridgett. It will be the best time you have ever spent in search of a motivational speaker. Guaranteed!

Photograph credit: Pixabay

Say This, Not That!