8 of the Most Powerful Words a Leader Can Use

As a woman in leadership, you want to be effective at getting your point across. So choose your words carefully. Some are far more powerful than others.

In fact, these eight words are considered the most effective in the English language. They’ll help you convince some people to see it your way and motivate others to new heights.

Emphasize these powerful words when you coach employees, meet with colleagues, present to the board or create emails, reports and blogs.

You

Generations of influencers have found that you is the absolute most influential word. It puts the focus on others. It shows your empathy and compassion, which is at the heart of persuasion.

You can boost the power of you by add people’s names to your point.

Example: “You know it’s true, Bruce, that we need everyone’s support on this project.”

Imagine

Imagine expands everyone’s idea of what’s possible. It opens opportunities and suggests people can skip the worries.

Use imagine when brainstorming with colleagues and employees. It will help people bypass all-to-common critical thinking and go to what feels right for the situation.

Example: “Imagine if we had just a day to resolve our production delay. What would you suggest we do first?”

Because

Because helps logical thinkers connect cause and effect. Emotional thinkers connect feelings and logic.

Giving people reasons – connected by because – gets them to respond fast.

Example: “I need you to stop work on your current project because a customer needs an immediate solution or his operation could shut down.”

Now

Most people these days want answers, solutions and responses immediately. Tell them what’s happening now, not what already took place. Tell them how they’re affected now, and in the future (which will be now at some point).

Example: “We need you to stay late now because we aren’t on target to meet the deadline. Now’s the time to get laser-focused so we can enjoy downtime later.”

Believe

Believing is the first step in making something happen. When people believe in what they’re part of, they’re more likely to see how to overcome limitations.

Remind them to believe in your mission, themselves or the project.

Example: “If you believe in our new process and your abilities to master it, we will smash this year’s goal!”

Guarantee

You can put people at ease with the word guarantee. It offers assurance in risk and security in complexity.

But be careful: Only use it when you can 100% guarantee what you say.

Example: “I guarantee the meeting will be done in 30 minutes, and you can leave early today.”

Act

Act is a call for urgency and is appealing because it suggests good things will happen. And that will move people closer to what they want.

Example: “If we act quickly to identify the number of errors, we’ll still finish the project on time.”

Help

Help is not always a plea for assistance. Instead, it often creates connections.

When leaders ask employees and colleagues for help they show they’re part of the team – not just a figurehead. When you acknowledge help that’s given to you, you recognize people’s individual value to group good.

Examples: “I’d like your help on this decision. What do you think …?” or “Your help was essential to the win.”

Use these words judiciously with colleagues, customers and employees to gain and maintain attention to your ideas and opinions.