• Home
  • About Us
    • Testimonials
  • For Organisations
    • In-House Training
    • Consultancy Services
  • For RTOs
  • Courses
    • Course Outlines
    • Training Events
    • Online and One-to-One-Coaching
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Login/Logout
    • View My Account
Have questions?

Email Us
0400 778807

  |   Find us on

Learning Insight
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Testimonials
  • For Organisations
    • In-House Training
    • Consultancy Services
  • For RTOs
  • Courses
    • Course Outlines
    • Training Events
    • Online and One-to-One-Coaching
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Login/Logout
    • View My Account

Blog

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Blog
  • Are You Undermining Your Own Credibility?

Are You Undermining Your Own Credibility?

  • Date May 11, 2019
Are You Undermining Your Own Credibility?

Here are 10 ways you may be undermining your own credibility:

  1. Finishing sentences with “Am I making sense?”

So often we hear people, particularly women, end their statements with, “Am I making sense?” or “Do you know what I mean?” These little follow-on questions are invitations for our listeners to acknowledge that what we have just said was worthwhile. Unfortunately, though they rarely do that.  In fact they send the message that we’re not sure our message was coherent.  If this is a habit of yours, try substituting these questions with, “What are your thoughts?” or, “Let me know if you have questions about this”.

  1. “Just”“I just wanted to pop in and see…”

“I’m just concerned that…”

We use the “just” word when we’re concerned we might be over-stepping the boundaries.  After all we’ve been taught from a young age to be polite, respectful and if we’re female, demure.  The “just” word makes us sound defensive, a little wimpy and tentative.

Drop the word ‘just”.

  1. “Actually”

“I actually think…”

“I actually have a question.”

Usually “actually” can send the message we are surprised at our own capacity to think of a question in the first instance.

  1. “Sorry, but…”

Why is it that women in particular, feel the need to apologise at work even when they are simply doing what they’re employed to do?

“Sorry to bother you but…”

“So sorry for interrupting.”

“Sorry if this is a silly question, but…”

Don’t apologise for taking up space; for entering a room’;for needing information; or for having something to say.

  1. “Just a minute” and “Just a little bit”

“I’d like to take just a few minutes of your time” or “I’d like to tell you a little bit about our new product.” Yes, it’s important to respect other’s people’s time and to keep your messages succinct.  Still there’s no need to discount your message by relegating it to the “just” category.   If what you have to share is important and worthwhile; convey that, instead.

  1. “Kind of” and “almost”

“I almost think we should reconsider.”

“I kind of think the report is a bit outdated.”

Using qualifying words like “kind of”, “almost” and “may be” negate what your suggesting; these words convey uncertainty and the impression that you’re worried that what are saying will cause offence.  They make the message less powerful.

  1. Undermining qualifiers

“I’m just thinking off the top of my head, but…”

“You have all been doing this job longer than me, but…”

“I’m no expert, but…”

Prefacing statements in this way plants the seed that what we are about to say is probably wrong. Lead in with confidence in the belief that your input is worthwhile.

  1. Up-talk

An upward inflection at the end of our statement turns the sentence into a question.  Up-talk is a defence mechanism signalling we need re-assurance.

By turning a statement into a question we safeguard ourselves from criticism should someone decide to challenge our opinion.  Ending a statement with an upward inflection easily becomes a habit and signifies to others that we are uncertain.

  1. Rapid speech

When we don’t feel we have the right to a place in a meeting, or conversation, we often demonstrate this by speaking at great speed.  When we speak too rapidly, we run our words together making it difficult to comprehend, plus we’re not giving our listeners time to absorb the message and so the content is lost.

Compose your thoughts before you speak; speak slowly, precisely and with authority.  Use short sentences and brief pauses between each sentence to create a sense of self-assurance.

  1. Making yourself small

Of course this isn’t about speech habits or speech patterns, but it does change the way people react to you. If you want to be ignored, by all means stay out of sight. Your non-verbal behaviour is even more visible than your speech mannerisms. If you want to be taken notice of, walk into a room with purpose; claim your space in the room or at the meeting table; use open body language; sit or stand erect. Make eye contact and position yourself to be noticed.

Like more?

If you enjoyed this article we know you’ll enjoy our on-line course:

Positive Language for Positive Results

You can enrol in this course now and work on it at a time and place to suit you.

Click here for a course outline and to register:

  • Share:
author avatar
Liz Paine

Previous post

The Donkey and the Well
May 11, 2019

Next post

Business Etiquette – How to Make Introductions
July 13, 2019

You may also like

Imposter Syndrome
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
3 October, 2021
Learning-Insight-Remembering-names
I’m sorry! I’ve forgotten your name.
22 August, 2021
Learning-Insight-Why-Are-Meeting-notes-called-minutes
Why are the records of meetings referred to as “minutes”?
11 July, 2021

Recent Posts

  • Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
  • I’m sorry! I’ve forgotten your name.
  • Why are the records of meetings referred to as “minutes”?
  • You get what you give
  • International Day of the Compliment

Post Archives

  • October 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • March 2021
  • January 2021
  • October 2020
  • July 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • October 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • May 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • November 2017
  • September 2017
  • May 2017
  • October 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • January 2016
  • October 2015
  • June 2015
  • February 2015

Recent Posts

Check out what's new from our Blog and let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
03Oct2021
I’m sorry! I’ve forgotten your name.
22Aug2021
Why are the records of meetings referred to as “minutes”?
11Jul2021
You get what you give
11Mar2021
International Day of the Compliment
22Jan2021
How to Avoid being “The Networker from Hell!”
24Oct2020

Training Calendar

Take part in upcoming training events. A complete listing can be found on the Training Events page.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Don't miss out on training calendar updates, plus access to articles and tips. Subscribe now!

Our mailing list is private and will never be published, shared or sold. You can unsubscribe at any time.

learning insight logo
© 2014-2020 Learning Insight. All rights reserved. | Eflin Grey Pty Ltd. Trading as Learning Insight.
Email Us
0400 778807

Content published on this website may not be reproduced or distributed, in whole or in part. Any reproduction or distribution, in whatever form and by whatever media, is expressly prohibited.

Privacy Policy