Have you ever noticed how some people convey more trust in speaking? We all know someone with particular ability to shine in social or work meetings, while others tend to go unnoticed and their opinions are often not taken into consideration.
A small change in your language can make a big difference. According to a recent article of the CNBC, eliminating the phrase “I think …” of your vocabulary and replacing it with a more assertive alternative can increase your credibility and influence.
The phrase that weakens your message
Phrases such as: “I think this strategy could work” or “I think we should try”, although they seem harmless or they use out of courtesy, these sentences introduce implicit doubts in your communication. According to leadership and communication experts, these expressions reduce your authority by making your opinion as a prerequisite rather than a solid proposal and decrease the influence that makes others perceive as less convincing.
“I think” is an example of minimization of language: words and phrases that soften your statements and make you seem less safe from yourself. Other expressions of common minimization include “perhaps”, “perhaps” and the abusive use of conditional forms such as “could”, “it would be well”, etc.
While using these words may seem like a matter of education, the truth is that they can dilute your credibility and make your ideas easier to exclude, especially in a professional context.
Alternatives that project safety
Instead of saying “I think we should change the attention”, try with:
- “I suggest changing the approach for X reason”
- “I recommend adjusting the strategy according to these data”
- “I propose to adopt for an alternative extent”
This small change strengthens your trust by presenting your ideas as precious contributions, not as simple opinions and increases your persuasion: people respond better to the clear and direct proposals.
When to use “I think” and when to avoid it?
It is not a question of completely eliminating the expressions of humility, but of adapting your language to the context:
- Use “I think” when you are trying to encourage open discussions (for example, “what do you think would be the best way to focus x?”).
- Avoid it when you need to project safety (for example presentations, negotiations, leadership).
Small changes, great results
The way structures your sentences influences the way others perceive you. By replacing “I think …” With “I suggest”, “I recommend” or “I propose”, you will not only seem safer, but you will also increase your ability to influence the key decisions.
Ready to try it? Start today and observe how your impact improves in major meetings, presentations and conversations.
To change the habit, we recommend you:
- Attention pays: it starts to notice how often you say “I think” and what contexts usually appear. You will surprise you the number of times per day you use this sentence.
- Find help: ask your friends or partner to tell you when they listen to it to help you identify the model.
- He thinks before speaking: talking more slowly and Pausas is already useful in itself to seem safer. In addition, it will help you identify when you are about to say “I think” in time to change it.
- Look at your written language: “I think” usually also appears in our written communication, especially in messaging applications such as Slack or Teams. Check your writing before sending it to make sure you are concise and use the exposed alternatives.
The next time you speak in a meeting, in a presentation or even in a random conversation, remember: each word matters. The elimination of a minimization of crutches is a first step towards a clearer and more convincing communication. The result? Best decisions, more opportunities and a voice that is really listened to.
