Words matter—especially when they undermine your credibility. If you’re constantly trying to be liked, non-threatening, or overly agreeable, you might be shrinking your authority in the process. Some phrases sound polite or casual but quietly signal insecurity, indecisiveness, or a lack of self-respect.
If you want people to listen when you speak—and respect what you say—you need to drop the verbal habits that work against you. These 13 phrases are doing you no favors, no matter how harmless they seem. Cut them out, and you’ll immediately sound more confident, capable, and grounded.
1. “This Might Be A Dumb Question…”
No one takes a question seriously if you preface it by calling it dumb. You’re signaling low confidence and inviting judgment before anyone’s had a chance to respond. Most of the time, the question is perfectly valid—you’re just afraid of how it might land.
Instead, ask directly and clearly. “Can you walk me through that part again?” sounds smart and curious. As explained by John Papazafiropoulos in his article on mastering the art of asking the right questions in business, prefacing a question with “This might be a dumb question” can undermine your confidence and reduce the effectiveness of your communication. Instead, using clear, direct language like “Can you walk me through that part again?” shows curiosity and professionalism, helping you get more useful and timely responses.
2. “I Could Be Wrong…”
This phrase invites others to dismiss you before you’ve even made your point. It shows you’re preemptively apologizing for having an opinion. Confidence doesn’t mean you’re always right—it means you’re not afraid to be.
You can express uncertainty without downplaying yourself. Try “Here’s my take…” or “From what I’ve seen…” instead. Leading with strength earns more attention than leading with self-doubt.
3. “Does That Make Sense?”
This phrase puts the burden of clarity on the listener and subtly implies you don’t trust your ability to explain things. According to Carmine Gallo, communication expert and author of several bestselling books, using the phrase “Does that make sense?” can undermine your authority by shifting the responsibility of understanding onto the listener.
If you need confirmation, say, “Let me know if you’d like me to expand on that.” It sounds composed instead of insecure. Trust your clarity until someone asks otherwise.
4. “I Just Think…”
“Just” is a minimizer—it makes your opinions sound like soft suggestions instead of contributions worth hearing. It’s a word that women especially overuse in an attempt to sound polite or agreeable. But it waters down everything that comes after it.
Try removing it and see how much stronger your statement becomes. “I think…” is more direct and assertive. You don’t need to shrink your thoughts to be respectful.
5. “Sorry, But…”
Apologizing before making a point implies you’re already on the defensive. It can make you sound like you’re bracing for conflict when none exists. And over-apologizing trains people to take you less seriously.
As confirmed by the article on communicating with confidence and assertiveness in professional settings from Rcademy, apologizing unnecessarily can undermine your authority and make you seem defensive. Instead of saying “sorry” when it’s not warranted, try expressing gratitude like “Thanks for your patience” or simply own your space confidently without shrinking back.
6. “I’ll Try My Best”
It sounds admirable, but it softens commitment. “Try” gives you wiggle room to underdeliver, which doesn’t inspire confidence. When people hear “I’ll try,” they often assume you won’t.
Replace it with a confident statement like “I’ll make sure it gets done.” You can be honest about obstacles without being vague. Clarity and decisiveness build trust.
7. “Whatever You Think”
This makes you sound passive and disengaged, even if you’re trying to be agreeable. Research from Loughborough University highlights that using passive phrases like “Whatever you think” reduces the perceived power and effectiveness of your communication. Their analysis of real conversations shows that such language diminishes your influence and credibility, especially in high-stakes or important discussions.
If you’re unsure, say “I’m open to your thoughts, but here’s where I’m leaning.” That sounds thoughtful, not indifferent. Show that you have a point of view and aren’t afraid to share it.
8. “To Be Honest…”
This phrase implies you weren’t being honest before, even if that’s not what you meant. It draws unnecessary attention to the idea of honesty and distracts from your actual point. It’s one of those filler phrases that erode your authority.
If it’s important, just say it. Honesty doesn’t need a disclaimer. Let your words speak for themselves.
9. “I Don’t Know If This Is Right, But…”
Self-sabotage disguised as humility. It instantly makes others less likely to take your idea seriously, even if it’s smart or useful. You’re handing away your power before anyone’s challenged you.
Instead, lead with the idea and let others weigh in naturally. If you’re not sure, say “I’d love your take on this.” That frames you as collaborative, not insecure.
10. “I’m No Expert…”
Even if it’s true, this line undercuts everything that follows. People tune out because they think you lack credibility. It’s fine not to be an expert—you just don’t have to announce it.
Share your insights without qualifying them. Say, “From what I’ve seen…” or “In my experience…” to maintain your voice. Confidence isn’t about credentials—it’s about clarity.
11. “I Hope This Doesn’t Sound…”
Like a warning label for your thoughts, this phrase lowers the bar before you even speak. It suggests you expect rejection or embarrassment. That makes people feel awkward and less likely to engage with your idea seriously.
Instead, state your idea with curiosity and openness. Say, “Here’s something I’ve been thinking about.” That sounds both confident and collaborative.
12. “I’ll Let You Decide”
Deferring to others constantly, especially in roles where you’re expected to lead, makes you seem unsure of your position. While collaboration is great, avoidance of decision-making undermines authority. People want clarity more than permission.
If you need input, ask for it. But take ownership of the final call when it’s yours to make. Leaders don’t dodge—they decide.
13. “I’m Probably Overthinking This…”
This is a fast track to not being taken seriously. It frames you as irrational even if your concerns are thoughtful or necessary. You’re anticipating judgment and apologizing for being thorough.
Instead, say “I want to make sure we’ve thought this through.” That reframes your thoughtfulness as a strength. Own your depth—don’t shrink it.
Natasha is a seasoned lifestyle journalist and editor based in New York City. Originally from Sydney, during a stellar two-decade career, she has reported on the latest lifestyle news and trends for major media brands including Elle and Grazia.
