I recently came across a fantastic post from Eva Rose Daniel, CEO and Founder of The Speak Shop, and thought it would be valuable to share with you in today’s newsletter. She highlights how certain verbal crutches can undermine your confidence when giving a presentation, along with great alternatives to keep your message strong. Here are a couple of her tips.
“When it comes to giving a presentation, you want to exude confidence. One way to do that is to ditch the verbal crutches that diminish your credibility. Here are 10 things you want to avoid saying and what to say instead.”
“I think” – Why to avoid it: I Think can make you sound unsure of your content and project a lack of confidence”
“What to say instead: I believe, it is my view that, my assessment it, I am confident that, research from X shows, I know from personal experience.”
- “I’m Sorry” – Why do avoid it: Apologizing reduces your credibility because if you don’t believe in your content then why should your audience?”
“What to say instead: if you are sorry for a tech failure plan for it to happen. Have a preplanned Joke “this tech is just like my teenager it has a hard time listening to me.”
“If you are sorry for weak or confusing content or slides, you shouldn’t be presenting, next time do the work to make it great. If you are already in the moment just own your work without an apology.”
“If you are sorry because you forgot something you needed to cover “Let’s backup a little” or just skip it, the audience will never know what you did/didn’t do.”
“If you are sorry for getting emotional – pause to regain your emotions, keep going.”
“One exception – if you said something derogatory, rude or crude you should apologize as quickly and sincerely as possible.”
- “I just want to say.” Why to avoid it: “just” is used as a pause and definitive word. Speakers use Just for two reasons: either they are insecure about their point, or they want to emphasize their point.”
“What to say instead: I believe X, and this is why, Listen, our children deserve better, here is the update on…”
- “I’ve got to be honest.” What to avoid it: Using the phrase “to be honest” implies that, before that statement, you weren’t being honest!”
“What to say instead: to clarify, the issue is, research shows what this means for you, I have some hard news to share, give clear and specific feedback – your performance was low on the xyzzy report, and I need you to include ABC on the next report.”
- “Does that make sense?” Why to avoid it: “Does that make sense” Decreases your credibility because it looks like you are seeking audience affirmation”
“What to say instead: Do you have any questions? to punch this idea let me tell you a story, if you are still confused let me give this analogy, call out how you see the audience “I see you are nodding your head.”
- “I am probably boring you” – why avoid it: if you are worried that you are boring your audience, there is a good chance you are. Your content may need more stories, humor, examples, anecdotes or research.”
“What to say instead: Change your tone to excited animated or engaging, lets all pause and take a deep breath, we’re almost through this confusing part.”
“Add verbal humor: Don’t worry this isn’t like Aunt Edna’s recent vacation with endless information, we’re almost through the data.”
“Add visual humor on the screen to break up the content”
- “I’ve been asked to speak about.” Why to avoid it: saying someone else told you to speak about something can hurt your credibility. Your audience doesn’t care why you chose a certain topic-all they care about is what they are going to learn from you.”
“What to say instead: [this topic] affects you in [this way.] dive into the story that relates to the topic. E.g. Workplace conflict is inevitable, but when handled correctly, it can be beneficial to you in your career. Here’s how”
- “I don’t have much time left.” Why to avoid it: acting rushed shows a lack of preparation.”
“What to say instead: Pause and glance at your notes, choose a strong point to end on, and confidently wrap it up. In our last two minutes, let me share… as we close, let me remind you.”
- “Close your eyes and imagine.” Why to avoid it: Not only is this cliché, you’re not likely going to get a lot of participation.”
“What to say instead: Descriptive language “I don’t know if you remember the day your child took their first steps, but I will never forget the day my daughter rose did. She was wearing a navy blue and pink sweater, baby jeans and pink booties.”
“With the biggest smile on her face, she toddled four steps. I don’t know who your favorite superhero is but mine is a bad ass, cape wearing, lasso throwing goddess, she is wonder woman.”
“I want to tell you a story about.” Why to avoid it: it’s a bad set up and loses the punch of your story.”
“What to say instead: the safety bar lowered over my head, and I gripped it, my knuckles turned white. I was about to face one of my biggest fears in my twelve-year-old life roller coasters. It was July of 1997, and I was 12 and starting my first lawn mowing business. It was a freezing January day in rural Indiana when my wife said, “it’s over.”
Don’t let weak language ruin your credibility!
Credit – Eva Rose Daniel – The Speak Shop https://www.thespeakshop.com/