Phrases to Build Professional Credibility

Your words are your currency. And every sentence is a deposit or a withdrawal in your career. Most people think strategy drives success. But often, it’s the story you tell — about yourself, to yourself, and around others — that shapes what comes next. Let me show you what I mean. A senior leader I coached — we’ll call her Maya — was up for a major internal promotion. Brilliant. Qualified. Respected. But in every stakeholder meeting, she kept saying things like: → I’m just here to support. → This might be a dumb question. → I don’t want to overstep. One day, she overheard an executive say: She’s incredibly smart. But I’m not sure she sees it. And if she doesn’t, how can we? That’s when it hit me. Maya wasn’t lacking competence. She was leaking credibility through language. Because every word you speak teaches people how to value you. Your language shapes your perception before your résumé ever does. Here’s what I teach high-achieving leaders to watch for: 1. Cut the disclaimers Instead of: “This might be a silly idea” Try: “Here’s a bold idea I’ve been considering.” 2. Speak in headlines, not hedges Instead of: “I was kind of thinking” Try: “I recommend” or “My take is” 3. Claim your wins out loud Instead of: It was a team effort Try: “I led the rollout and collaborated across teams. A special thank you to…” 4. Swap apologizing for articulating Instead of: “Sorry for the delay” Try: “Thanks for your patience , here’s where we are” Note: Use judgment to decide when an apology is truly necessary 5. Reflect powerfully, not passively Instead of: “I hope this makes sense” Try: “Let me know how this clicks for you” Every word you speak builds your brand in real time. Not the logo kind. The leadership kind. Your voice in meetings. Your framing in emails. Your tone in tense moments. That’s your real résumé. And it updates every day. Your words can open doors. Or quietly close them. Speak like the role you’re growing into. Not the one you’re shrinking to fit. Because in leadership, language is leverage. What’s one phrase you’re letting go of this quarter? Tag a leader whose words elevate every room. Follow Loren Rosario - Maldonado, PCC for practical coaching that works in real life.

Communicating confidently and assertively is a skill that takes time and effort to nurture. We post a regular series at Kahilla called #sayitprofessionally sharing tips and tricks to help boost credibility and confidence with simple tweaks like:  - Instead of saying "Fine," be assertive with "I'm all right" or "Sounds good." - Offer alternatives and avoid using "Unfortunately." - Focus on what you can do and avoid using "Can't until." - Be straightforward without using "Honestly" as it implies dishonesty. - Eliminate hedge words like "Kind of" or "Sort of" for clarity and confidence. Obviously, context matters so you do need to remember to adapt these tools to your environment and the situation at hand for the best results.

How do you communicate in professional settings? Are you still using phrases like "I Hope This Makes Sense?" In case you don’t already know, every word, phrase, and sentence you use has the power to shape perceptions, influence opinions, and determine your standing within a professional setting. Using such self-deprecating phrases can reinforce stereotypes that cast doubt on your expertise. These words inadvertently suggest that you lack confidence in your own understanding or capability to communicate effectively. This internal self-doubt can be easily projected onto others, leading them to question the validity of your statements. As a professional, especially as an immigrant striving for career progression, your goal is to build trust and foster clear communication. Replace disempowering phrases with self-confirmation sentences such as "does that clarify things?" or inviting questions like "let me know if you have any questions." By framing our communication as a mutual exploration of ideas, we not only inspire confidence in our audience but also encourage open dialogue, showing that you are ready and willing to address any concerns. Remember, it's not just about conveying information - it's about standing tall as a knowledgeable and respected professional in your field. Found this helpful? Follow for more career tips that will surely get you ahead and keep you there. #ProfessionalCommunication #CareerProgression #SelfConfidence #CareerTips #ImmigrantProfessionals #EffectiveCommunication #CareerDevelopment