Say good riddance to using wimpy words as qualifiers. Throw them away, and never use them again.

Hope. Might. Want. These are the most common “villains.” Just listen to the difference*:

“After we talk, I hope you’ll understand ABC better.”

“After we talk, you might understand ABC better.”

“After we talk, I want you to understand ABC better.”

The fix is quite simple: just cut out the wimpy words. Now, try this:

“After we talk, you’ll understand ABC better.”

Clear. Effective. Direct. Exactly how effective leaders talk.

Why smart people use wimpy words

Nobody likes a know-it-all. We don’t want to come off as arrogant or conceited. So many of us intentionally “wimp” our most important, assertive statements to soften our messages.

Unfortunately, using wimpy words doesn’t just soften your message, it also diminishes your executive presence. It makes you come off as less confident. And weak. And usually, much less clear and more ambiguous. You will be less persuasive and effective, missing the whole point of your interaction.

Here is a starter list of some of the most common wimpy qualifiers and filler words to eliminate from your vocabulary:

And so many more.

Lose the wimpy words

Almost everyone uses some wimpy words. Fixing this issue is easy to say and harder to do. Focus on it. Ask a coach to remind you when you use one. Record yourself and listen specifically to your actual words with an ear tuned to catch wimpy words. Then, simply edit out the wimpy word and leave the rest. That’s it.

Stop using wimpy words to soften your statements and you’ll find others agreeing with you more often.

Onward.

*These words do have an important place in the English language. They can be exceptionally powerful, when they AREN’T used to qualify or soften a statement.

“The cancer patient was filled with hope for a better day.”

“I want you, today, tomorrow and always.”

“Superman used all of his might to stop the oncoming train.”