I was troubled by a leadership podcast I listened to recently. Although the podcast host and guest, experts on leadership, were knowledgeable and eloquent, I cringed so often that I had to stop listening.

Both host and guest began almost every sentence with the phrase, “I think.” They prefaced thoughts with, “I think.” They began what should have been definitive statements with, “I think.” It became apparent that both the host and the guest had developed a habit of starting nearly every sentence with that phrase, even when making statements that should have carried unwavering conviction.

Why?

To be honest, I’m not sure, but it happened so often that I started counting the number of times they said, “I think.”

I wanted to remind them that using the term “I think” too often diminishes their expertise and authority. It makes them sound wishy-washy. It makes them sound indecisive and inconclusive even though they are trying to be convincing.

The best leaders and most successful professionals understand that words and phrases matter and that although communication needs to be authentic, it must also be deliberate and well-thought out.

How often do you preface your statements with, “I think?”

Kind Regards,
Paulette

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