"You are what you say": In the working world, this motto is more relevant than ever.
Because those who can sell themselves well have brilliant career prospects.
But with some phrases one should be careful.
If you want to climb the career ladder, you have to have certain skills.
Experts agree: Nowadays it is not enough to just be very good at your job and hardworking.
The so-called “soft skills” are also important to be successful.
This includes giving feedback and also accepting criticism when it is practiced.
It is also important to create a harmonious relationship with the boss and work colleagues.
At the same time, it is advisable to keep the balancing act so that your own interests are not neglected.
Filler words, vague statements and Co.: If you want to be successful in your job, you have to express yourself more clearly
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If you speak fluently and clearly, you get along better with your boss and work colleagues.
© Daniel Ingold/Imago
But there are always people who obviously know exactly how to "sell themselves well".
When they talk, everyone listens, agrees, or even seems to admire them or think they're particularly competent.
It is therefore important not only to do a good job – but also to draw attention to it.
But some phrases are already so overused that they can no longer impress anyone.
A speech trainer named John Bowe knows that if you don't master the usual communication channels, you'll quickly end up on the sidelines.
He revealed to the US television broadcaster
CNBC
which five mistakes are no-gos and make you look insecure and even incompetent.
1. You read from slides.
You are giving a presentation in a meeting, showing slides on a projection screen.
However, do not read the text from it, after all the listeners are not stupid and can read themselves.
Plus, you're just wasting valuable time.
Slides, images, and illustrations are a good idea, but they should only emphasize the point you want to make clear.
So the one who holds the presentation feeds the viewer with added value, i.e. further information that supplements that on the slides.
This creates a holistic picture that you want to convey to the audience.
2. You give inappropriate examples.
Images, metaphors or examples are often used to get your point across.
However, beware of being overly rambunctious or overly funny in meetings.
This is not the time to play the comedian and make jokes about your mother-in-law.
This can quickly make you appear selfish and unprofessional.
Instead, the speech trainer recommends answering directly and neutrally and always staying on topic.
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3. Avoid filler words.
"Um", "hmmm" or "so": Almost everyone has caught themselves using filler words in conversations or presentations.
Especially when you rarely have contact with others, you are insecure.
And that's exactly the problem: those who use filler words frequently are not taken seriously by others.
So if you practice speaking fluently, others will come across as focused and articulate.
4. You use Anglicisms all the time.
Working with English terms is common practice in certain industries.
Especially when it comes to certain target achievements or reports on intermediate statuses or data evaluations.
However, if it is not common in your industry or if you use anglicisms in an inflationary way, listeners can quickly drift away.
In addition, it does not make you appear more sophisticated or clever, but involuntarily funny - especially if there is nothing substantial behind it, but only empty phrases.
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5. They downplay claims.
Often you don't want to step on the toes of the boss or others.
That is very commendable, but if you constantly weaken your own opinion or statements, you lose assertiveness.
So-called "hedging" formulations such as "I think", "Maybe", "Something like that" make you appear insecure and therefore also incompetent, even if the person is not.
However, time is money and every other word is superfluous for the other person.
On the other hand, if you formulate things clearly, others will appreciate them more, and they will appreciate what you have to say more.
List of rubrics: © Daniel Ingold/Imago
