9 words and phrases that make any professional look weak

9 hundertprozentigs and phrases that make any professional look weak9 words and phrases that make any professional look weakHey, Im not sure if you have the time right now, but it would be great if you can read my latest column. Is that OK?said the weakest communicator ever.Confidence is a powerful tool to gain respect and get stuff done.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moraAs you compose emails/documents (and in conversation too), remove these words/phrases from your vocabulary. They make you look weak.1. JustIjustwant to ask youItlljusttake a minuteImjustsayingWeak, weak, weak. Just is a little word with big implications. Each time we use just, it suggests we waste someones time. No, if you have something important to say, then say it.Well, anywayitsjusta writing tip.See how that sounds? Weak.2. SorryDont apologize all over the place. In most cases, you didnt do anything wrong. Sor ry is mora like Sorry for bothering you or Sorry for taking up your time.Of course, if youdidscrew up, then yeasay Sorry.But if you have worthwhile information to send in an email or say aloud, then go for it. Respect yourself and the value you add to the conversation.3. Im not sure if you can, but Such an inferior tone. As if the other part is SO important and SO busy that you need to kneel down and beg for assistance.How about Would you like to?Stay on equal footing with the partie across from you. Youre no worse (or better). Eye to eye is the way to play it.4. I hate to bother you, but Similar to 3, I hate to bother you, but connotes the other person has all the power in the relationship. Even if youre an intern, new hire or several years junior to someone at the company, you have every right to stand proudly and say, When you have a minute, Id like your opinion onAnd let me tell you, plenty of business execs can suddenly find 15 minutes in their jam-packed schedules if someone w ants their opinion. Maybe even 30 minutes or an hour.5. I hope thats OK.Dont give up authority in the conversation - you have the same rights to the territory. Instead, go with Thanks for the consideration or I appreciate the help.- Here are four weak writing habits specific to managers and other leaders in an organization.6. The new rule on vacation days has been put in place by me.Passive voice is perhaps the weakest way to communicate with your employees. You must be willing to stand by your decisions, and the best way is to put yourself (I) at the start of the sentence.CorrectionI have put in place a new rule on vacation days.7. Put your call to action or request at the bottom of the message.Timid managers wait until the last line of an email or document to explain what they need employees to do. Its a subtle way to say, Im afraid to give orders or be in charge.Instead, put the directive high up in the message. Employees will see the information right away, and your message wil l have a mora assertive tone.As an exampleHi team,Im writing to remind everyone to have their fourth-quarter reports on my desk by 5 p.m. on Friday. Remember the report must includeStart strong, and employees will take notice.8. More words = less respectA babo who communicates with brevity commands a certain level of authority. That doesnt mean you should write with a terseness that feels cold and emotionless.The best leaders write with enthusiasmandan economical word count. Its a skill that must be practiced every day by managers.Whoops, there goes the passive voice again.Managers must practice the skill every day.9. Misspelling an employees first or last nameWant an easy way to lose an employees respect? Spell his/her name wrong in an email/document.Want to ruin the relationship for the long-term? Spell the name wrong more than once.Before you press send, make sure the names are 100% correct. These are the people who put in the hours for you day after day. If you repeatedly type J ohn instead of Jon, its more than a weak approach.Its a clear lack of respect.- Well, Ihopeyou like my advice. If not,sorryfor the troubleYour words set the tone. Use them wisely.This column first appeared onDannyhRubin.com.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people9 words and phrases that make any professional look weakHey, Im not sure if you have the time right now, but it would be great if you can read my latest column. Is that OK?said the weakest communicator ever.Confidence is a powerful tool to gain respect and get stuff done.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreAs you compose em ails/documents (and in conversation too), remove these words/phrases from your vocabulary. They make you look weak.1. JustIjustwant to ask youItlljusttake a minuteImjustsayingWeak, weak, weak. Just is a little word with big implications. Each time we use just, it suggests we waste someones time. No, if you have something important to say, then say it.Well, anywayitsjusta writing tip.See how that sounds? Weak.2. SorryDont apologize all over the place. In most cases, you didnt do anything wrong. Sorry is more like Sorry for bothering you or Sorry for taking up your time.Of course, if youdidscrew up, then yeasay Sorry.But if you have worthwhile information to send in an email or say aloud, then go for it. Respect yourself and the value you add to the conversation.3. Im not sure if you can, but Such an inferior tone. As if the other person is SO important and SO busy that you need to kneel down and beg for assistance.How about Would you like to?Stay on equal footing with the person acro ss from you. Youre no worse (or better). Eye to eye is the way to play it.4. I hate to bother you, but Similar to 3, I hate to bother you, but connotes the other person has all the power in the relationship. Even if youre an intern, new hire or several years junior to someone at the company, you have every right to stand proudly and say, When you have a minute, Id like your opinion onAnd let me tell you, plenty of business execs can suddenly find 15 minutes in their jam-packed schedules if someone wants their opinion. Maybe even 30 minutes or an hour.5. I hope thats OK.Dont give up authority in the conversation - you have the same rights to the territory. Instead, go with Thanks for the consideration or I appreciate the help.- Here are four weak writing habits specific to managers and other leaders in an organization.6. The new rule on vacation days has been put in place by me.Passive voice is perhaps the weakest way to communicate with your employees. You must be willing to stand by your decisions, and the best way is to put yourself (I) at the start of the sentence.CorrectionI have put in place a new rule on vacation days.7. Put your call to action or request at the bottom of the message.Timid managers wait until the last line of an email or document to explain what they need employees to do. Its a subtle way to say, Im afraid to give orders or be in charge.Instead, put the directive high up in the message. Employees will see the information right away, and your message will have a more assertive tone.As an exampleHi team,Im writing to remind everyone to have their fourth-quarter reports on my desk by 5 p.m. on Friday. Remember the report must includeStart strong, and employees will take notice.8. More words = less respectA boss who communicates with brevity commands a certain level of authority. That doesnt mean you should write with a terseness that feels cold and emotionless.The best leaders write with enthusiasmandan economical word count. Its a skill t hat must be practiced every day by managers.Whoops, there goes the passive voice again.Managers must practice the skill every day.9. Misspelling an employees first or last nameWant an easy way to lose an employees respect? Spell his/her name wrong in an email/document.Want to ruin the relationship for the long-term? Spell the name wrong more than once.Before you press send, make sure the names are 100% correct. These are the people who put in the hours for you day after day. If you repeatedly type John instead of Jon, its more than a weak approach.Its a clear lack of respect.- Well, Ihopeyou like my advice. If not,sorryfor the troubleYour words set the tone. Use them wisely.This column first appeared onDannyhRubin.com.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can m ake in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people