Enough already!! Please stop saying this right now!
There are few sentences starter more irksome, more undermining, or frustrating from a leader who's sharing her thoughts than "I think..."
I get it:
🔵 Women get called too assertive or, worse, aggressive for putting their ideas forward without padding.
🔵 Women, especially, like to make the distinction between their beliefs and hard facts.
🔵 When you're not 100% sure what you're saying is THE RIGHT thing, "I think" seems like a great way to introduce your doubt.
But "I think" - especially when repeated every other sentence - strips you of authority, confidence, and trust.
Read the following out loud.
"I think that saying "I think" weakens your position. Maybe if you chose different words, I think you would be able to make your point with more authority. And if you do that, I think the people you're speaking to will feel more confident about your position, but that's just my opinion."
Compare it to this:
"Based on my experience and several studies, saying, "I think" weakens your position.
A different word choice could allow you to make your point with more authority. Since authority is fundamentally about trust, the people you're speaking to would feel more confident about your position."
Which one makes you feel more confident?
Everything you do, every word you say, sets the tone for how people will see and respond to you.
If someone is asking for your opinion, they know it's your opinion. You don't need to say, "I think."
If they ask for your expertise, share facts as facts and your hypotheses as hypotheses.
My clients, Noteworthy executives, learn how to own their authority, level up their presence, and step into their power so they can lead more effectively, without apology, and without having to be anything more or less than their true selves.
❓ What's one phrase or expression that rattles you❓
I'll share another one of my pet peeves in the comments.
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Trusted Advisor to Women in Leadership | Giving High-Impact Executive Women The Confidence to Lead On Their Terms & The Strategies to Succeed As They Do | Leadership, & Executive Excellence
2wLearn about Noteworthy Solutions at a Glance here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bMcwMl9JSE5us1dOjOrcE6NH9Gfqlg0xHQc372-QuxE/edit