Speaking with authority
Speaking with authority
Did you know there are certain vocabulary rules top executives follow? It all stems from the simple notion that whenever you’re having a business conversation, whether in person, on the phone/Zoom, or online, you have to speak from a place of authority.
What does that necessarily mean though?
The biggest misconception when I tell people they have to speak from a place of authority is that it’s interpreted as : everyone must do as you say. And what I really mean couldn’t be further from the truth.
Speaking with authority means you recognize your skillset, can speak to it, and encourage your peers to participate in the conversation. It’s not about alienation, but rather collaboration.
I remember when I started this industry in my mid-twenties and I felt like I had so much to prove. Well, let’s be honest… I did! But what I didn’t realize back then was that speaking with authority shouldn’t have been about my ego, but rather my hunger to excel and keep learning. Along the way, I’ve learned to check my ego and pride at the door. In order to excel in any business, there has to be a constant sense of curiosity to the work that you’re doing. Knowing that yes, you may know a lot, but you also have a long way to go. No one knows it all… and that’s okay.
When learning to speak with authority and not sounding like the world’s biggest douche, here are five quick vocabulary switches you can start doing immediately. This will encourage conversation, shape your role as a leader, and make you sound like the team-player you are:
Switch “Can I? to “May I?”
Switch “No.” to “No because XXX”
Switch “Let me know” to “I’d love to hear your thoughts about this.”
Switch “Let me see what I can do.” to “On it.” **this is a personal favorite of mine and anyone who’s worked with me knows I love love love to answer an email with a good “On it!”
Switch “But…” to “However…”