Whether you’re getting ready for a big interview, preparing for a major presentation or simply looking to improve your executive presence, effective communication skills are key to professional success. But choosing the right words, as well as eliminating the wrong ones from your vocabulary, can be a tricky process. As someone who coaches senior managers and executives to share their stories more powerfully, here are five words and phrases I suggest you stop using if you want to be a better communicator.
‘Basically’
“Basically” is a filler word that fails to add value to your communication. As Judge Judy Sheindlin, one of my favorite TV personalities, likes to regularly point out, you can’t “basically” do something. If you’re interviewing for a potential role and recounting a major career win, for instance, you don’t want to explain that you “basically” achieved success. Either you succeeded or you didn’t.
Similarly, if you’re presenting an update on a key project to your leadership team, you want to avoid saying that you “basically” met the key performance indicators (KPIs). Instead, you want to be clear about your specific progress. As a coach, I find people often add filler words like “basically” when they struggle with imposter syndrome and want to downplay their accomplishments or because they can’t recall the specific details. With some practice, which I recommend you do aloud, you can learn to own your fabulousness and speak more confidently.
‘You Know’
“You know” is another common filler word, or technically a filler phrase, that doesn’t add value to your communication. If you want to confirm that your listener understands what you’re saying, you need to check in with them; otherwise, you’re simply adding unintentional fluff to the conversation.
I recall helping a communications executive prepare for a major interview. She said “you know” nearly two dozen times throughout her 90-second elevator pitch. Interestingly, she never realized she used the phrase until I brought it to her attention. If you don’t have someone who can provide you with honest feedback, you can record yourself speaking and then listen back to identify and eliminate your filler words.
‘Actually’
While it has its purpose, “actually” is often used unintentionally in conversation and can make you come off as someone who lacks confidence. In most cases, you can remove the word “actually” and the rest of your sentence will still make sense. Try to take notice of your use of “actually” and see if there are certain situations where you use it more often than others. If you use this word unintentionally, my hunch is that it’s when you’re avoiding being direct, which is a missed opportunity to practice your assertive communication and come off as a more confident speaker.
‘Um’
There’s nothing wrong with the occasional use of “um” when speaking. In fact, it can be helpful, at times, for your listener to know you haven’t finished your thought. However, the overuse of “um” can be distracting for the person you’re speaking with. Moreover, extensive use of the crutch can result in you being perceived as lacking confidence or self-esteem. As an interview coach, I’ve found the use of “um” typically spikes when clients are stressed or anxious during an interview, meeting or presentation. Thankfully, you can often counteract your nerves and come off as a better communicator by simply replacing “um” with a breath.
‘Like’
Being born and raised in California, I find that the use of the word “like” is, like, very common. Akin to many of the words on this list, “like” has its time and place in conversations. However, if you’re striving to come off as a confident speaker and improve your communication skills, recognizing how frequently you use it can be helpful. Take note of when you’re tempted to say “like” and try to replace it with a pause. The purpose of reducing its usage isn’t to strive for perfection but rather to be mindful and intentional with your word choice.
Becoming A Better Communicator
Do you notice yourself using any of these words? Please give yourself grace, as no one is a perfect speaker. Unless you’re a news anchor, politician or actor, your every word is unlikely to be scrutinized. Instead, recognize the opportunity to become a better communicator, take a breath and keep improving your speaking skills. You’ve got this!
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