How to Speak With Confidence Like a High Performer at Work
Using confident and proactive language can help you communicate effectively and make a strong impression in professional settings.
-
When You Don’t Understand:
- Instead of saying “I’m confused,” say: “Can you show me again, please?”
-
After Helping Someone:
- Instead of saying “No worries,” say: “Glad to help.”
-
When You’re Running Late:
- Instead of saying “Sorry for the delay,” say: “Thanks for being patient with me.”
-
When You Don’t Know:
- Instead of saying “I don’t know,” say: “I’ll find out for you.”
-
When Asking for Something:
- Instead of saying “Sorry to bother you,” say: “Can we chat about…?”
-
When Unsure About the Task:
- Instead of saying “I’ll try,” say: “I’ll get it done.”
-
After a Mistake:
- Instead of saying “My mistake,” say: “Thanks for catching that.”
-
When It’s Someone Else’s Duty:
- Instead of saying “That’s not my job,” say: “Let me help you find the right person.”
-
When You Disagree:
- Instead of saying “That’s wrong,” say: “Can I share a different take?”
-
When Making a Suggestion:
- Instead of saying “I think maybe…,” say: “I have a suggestion.”
-
When Busy:
- Instead of saying “I can’t do it,” say: “I’m learning, and I’ll try my best.”
-
When Sharing an Idea:
- Instead of saying “This might be dumb, but…,” say: “I have an idea.”
-
When You Need More Time:
- Instead of “I need more time,” say: “I’ll have this ready by [specific time].”
-
When Setting Boundaries:
- Instead of “I don’t have time for this,” say: “I’ll need to prioritize other tasks right now, but I can look into this later.”
-
When Offering Feedback:
- Instead of “This isn’t good,” say: “Here’s how I think we can improve this.”
-
When Expressing Appreciation:
- Instead of “Good job,” say: “I really appreciate the effort you put into this.”
-
When Wrapping Up a Conversation:
- Instead of “Okay, I’ll get back to you,” say: “I’ll follow up by [specific day or time].”
-
When You Need Clarification:
- Instead of “I don’t understand what you mean,” say: “Could you explain that part a bit more?”
-
When Responding to Compliments:
- Instead of downplaying yourself, say: “Thank you, I appreciate the recognition!”