How often have you avoided a conversation because: it was difficult, you did not have the time, it was
already in an email .. (fill in the blank for your reality). Communication is the number one soft skill
game-changer across industries.
A survey by the Harvard Business Review found that 69% of managers are uncomfortable
communicating with their employees, which can lead to misunderstandings and project delays.
So why do we avoid conversations, especially the more challenging ones?
The Silent Deal breaker
In leadership, your words are your currency. Yet, communication (or lack thereof!) often becomes the
silent deal breaker. According to research, ineffective communication contributes to project failures in
1 out of 3 cases and impacts success more than 50% of the time. For leaders, the stakes are even
higher, where every word can either unite or divide teams, secure or lose stakeholder buy-in, and
inspire action—or apathy. How can Words That Convert become your superpower?
1.The Science of Persuasion: Getting More Yes’s
Techniques rooted in behavioral psychology can help to frame your arguments, structure proposals, and
navigate objections. Start by understanding the words behind the words. Not your words, but your
audience’s. There is always something that drives their behavior. Is it need for accomplishment,
acknowledgement, affection?
Linguistic models of influence help us align for agreement, or dig deeper for comprehension.
Ask: How so? What do you mean? Why do you think that? Instead of assuming.
You may be surprised with the quality of insights you get back simply by asking open-ended questions.
2.Turn Confrontation into Conversation
Developing emotional intelligence and layering it with strategic intent ensures that your words are both
kind and impactful. Mitigating pressure situations is a reoccurring theme that we keep hearing from our
clients. The key is changing perspective. This means taking the negativity out and turning it into a
positive. You may be thinking, easier said than done.
Truth is, it is about making micro adjustments that go a long way.
For instance: when someone says something challenging, begin by listening to understand where this is
coming from. What are they feeling? What is their motivation?
Pro Tip: before responding, create commonality. Say something that makes them feel you understand
and are on the same page. Example: I know where you’re coming from. Like you, I also ……
3. Unlock the Power of Words
Certain words will resonate more deeply with your audience, ultimately driving action and commitment.
Mastering a vocabulary for influence is simply about swapping generic language for powerful words that
resonate emotionally and intellectually with your audience.
Eliminate all Conditional Words such as: could, should, might, if, hopefully, if possible, try.
Pro Tip -> replace weak phrases with power statements
- Weak: I think this might work.
- Strong: This approach will deliver the results we’re looking for.
Remove Unnecessary Fillers: phrases like “I feel” or “To be honest” can undermine your authority.
Simply state your message directly.
- Weak: I feel that we should consider another strategy.
- Strong: Let’s find another strategy.
Speak in Action-Oriented Terms: use verbs that inspire action, such as: achieve, drive, deliver, resolve,
instead of vague terms like address or deal with.
- Weak: We can deal with this on Monday.
- Strong: We will resolve this on Monday.
Frame Statements Positively: this isn’t about masking the truth, rather, about demonstrating the
positive in something that can be viewed negatively.
- Weak: We can’t meet the deadline.
- Strong: We need an additional two days to ensure we meet quality standards.
By eliminating conditional words and replacing them with confident, decisive language, you’ll position
yourself as a leader who inspires trust and drives results.
So next time you think of avoiding a conversation because it may be difficult, try some of these tips.
Whether you’re pitching a product, closing a deal, or motivating a team, this linguistic hacks will equip
you with the tools to communicate effectively in any scenario. Turn Conversations into Conversions.