#10: These Small Phrases Are Destroying Your Credibility at Work

You’re Saying the Right Things. But They’re Not Landing.

You’re in the meeting. You’ve done the work. You know your point is right.

But the way you say it?

“I think we should maybe try…”

And just like that, your message loses weight.

This isn’t about your intelligence, your preparation, or your ideas.

It’s about how your delivery is being interpreted.

Because in high-performance environments, people don’t just hear your words.

They read your certainty.

Small phrases like “I think,” “just,” or “does that make sense?” might feel natural – even polite.

But they act as what I call credibility leaks.

They quietly signal hesitation, lower your authority, and invite others to override your point before it’s even fully landed.

In this episode, I break down how these subtle language habits are costing you influence – and how to fix them so your ideas actually land, get traction, and move things forward.

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HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:

1️⃣ Small words change how your message is perceived – phrases like “I think” or “just checking” don’t just soften your tone, they change the subtext of your message. Instead of sounding clear and decisive, you signal uncertainty and invite pushback, even when your idea is strong.

2️⃣ You’re paying the “Just Tax” without realising – adding “just” into your communication lowers your perceived authority before you’ve even made your point. It positions you as asking for permission rather than owning the conversation, especially in emails and follow-ups.

3️⃣ Confidence is communicated through delivery, not perfection – influence doesn’t come from being right 100% of the time. It comes from how you present your thinking. Pausing, removing filler words, and letting your point land signals far more authority than over-explaining ever will.

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RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

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MORE FROM ME

Follow me on Instagram at @successsubtext and LinkedIn Jag Dhaliwal ACA

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