by Mary Cantando, Founder of The Woman’s Advantage, Guest Contributor

When you speak, you want your message to come through with confidence and conviction. To achieve this, it’s important to use words that convey power rather than those that are weak and tentative. One way to do that is to avoid the following words or phrases.

Five Words or Phrases that Weaken Your Power

1. “I tend to think”

Superfluous phrases like this at the beginning of a statement, water down your position. Simply state what you think, don’t prefix it with unnecessary verbiage.

2. “Little” or “A little”

The use of “little” to describe anything related to business is almost always diminutive. Eliminate it.

3. “Whatever”

Polls show that this is the #1 most hated word in the United States.

4. “May” or “Might”

Decide your position and state it; don’t ride the fence.

5. “No Problem”

This phrase is especially disliked as a response to “Thank you.” If someone thanks you, simply say, “You’re welcome.”