To Sound Professional & Confident, Avoid Speaking Like This. | 7 Tips

Summary

This video script offers valuable advice on improving English communication skills for a professional and confident image. It highlights seven common bad habits to avoid, such as unnecessary apologies, upspeak, self-criticism, overuse of qualifiers, speaking too fast, mumbling, and excessive use of word fillers. The speaker suggests practical tips like using 'excuse me' instead of 'sorry,' ensuring a lowering intonation in statements, and recording oneself to identify areas for improvement. The goal is to enhance one's speech to convey confidence and clarity.

Takeaways

• 🙅‍♂️ Avoid unnecessary apologies to project confidence; save apologies for when they are truly needed.
• 🗣️ Practice polite but assertive alternatives to apologies, such as 'Excuse me' or 'If this is a good time, I'd like to share an idea'.
• ↗️ Eliminate upspeak, the rising intonation at the end of sentences, to avoid sounding uncertain or turning statements into questions.
• 📉 Use a lowering intonation for statements to convey confidence and certainty.
• 🚫 Refrain from self-deprecation; instead of expressing limitations, frame them as areas of improvement or learning.
• 🔍 Minimize the use of qualifiers like 'kind of' or 'probably' that can undermine confidence in your abilities.
• 🔽 Speak slower to appear more composed and to ensure clarity of communication, especially in professional settings.
• 👄 Open your mouth wider to avoid mumbling, which can make you seem nervous and less confident.
• 💬 Reduce the use of word fillers like 'um' and 'uh' to improve the fluency and impact of your speech.
• 🎥 Record yourself speaking to identify areas for improvement and track your progress over time.
• 📚 Expand your vocabulary to support confident communication and enhance the quality of your ideas when shared.

Q & A

What are the seven bad habits mentioned in the script that can make someone sound unprofessional and not confident in English?

The seven bad habits are: 1) Apologizing unnecessarily, 2) Using upspeak, 3) Self-criticizing, 4) Keeping qualifiers to a minimum, 5) Speaking too fast, 6) Mumbling, and 7) Using too many word fillers.

Why should one avoid apologizing before asking a question or sharing an idea in a professional setting?

Apologizing in such contexts can indicate a lack of confidence in one's ideas or oneself, suggesting that the person is unsure if they deserve the time or attention they are seeking.

What is a polite alternative to saying 'Sorry, I just have one question.'?

A polite and confident alternative is to say 'Excuse me, but I have a question.' or 'If this is a good time, I'd like to share an idea.'

What is upspeak and why should it be avoided in statements?

Upspeak is the rising intonation at the end of a sentence, making it sound like a question. It should be avoided in statements because it can make the speaker sound unsure or not confident in what they are saying.

How can one add confidence to their statements?

To add confidence, one should use a lowering intonation when making a statement, ensuring the tone and volume come down at the end of the sentence.

Why should self-criticizing statements be avoided in professional situations?

Self-criticizing statements can undermine one's credibility and confidence, and if the speaker lacks confidence in their abilities, it can affect how others perceive them.

What is a qualifier and how can it affect the perception of confidence?

A qualifier is a word like 'kind of', 'sort of', 'probably', or 'maybe' that adds doubt to a statement. Using qualifiers can make the speaker seem less confident in their abilities.

Why might speaking too fast be a sign of nervousness, even if the speaker is not nervous?

Speaking too fast can be a natural tendency when nervous, and even if the speaker is not nervous, it can be perceived as such, making it difficult for others to understand them and potentially undermining their message.

What is mumbling and how can it affect the clarity and confidence of speech?

Mumbling is speaking without fully opening the mouth, which results in quieter and less clear sound production. It can make the speaker difficult to understand and can be perceived as a sign of nervousness or lack of confidence.

What are word fillers and why should they be reduced in professional speech?

Word fillers are words like 'well', 'but', 'so', 'you know' that are added while forming thoughts. They can disrupt the flow of speech and make the speaker seem less prepared or confident.

What is the best advice given in the script for improving one's speech habits?

The best advice is to record oneself speaking to identify areas for improvement, such as speaking too quickly, mumbling, using too many word fillers, or upspeak, and then focus on improving one area at a time.

Outlines

00:00

😅 Avoiding Unprofessional Habits in English Speech

The first paragraph emphasizes the importance of sounding professional and confident in English. It advises against seven common bad habits that can undermine one's professionalism. The focus is on not apologizing unnecessarily before asking questions or sharing ideas, as this can project a lack of confidence. Instead, using phrases like 'excuse me' or 'if this is a good time' is suggested to maintain politeness while exuding confidence. Additionally, the paragraph discusses the issue of 'upspeak,' where statements are made with a rising intonation, making them sound like questions. It suggests practicing a lowering intonation for statements to convey certainty. Lastly, it touches on the negative impact of self-criticism in a professional setting, advising to replace self-deprecating statements with positive affirmations of commitment to improvement.

05:01

🤔 Enhancing Confidence Through Speech Habits

The second paragraph continues the theme of professional speech by addressing the use of qualifiers that can diminish confidence in one's statements. Words like 'kind of', 'sort of', and 'probably' are identified as undermining the speaker's authority. The advice is to be direct and assertive by dropping such qualifiers. The paragraph also highlights the need to slow down speech, especially in situations like presentations or job interviews, where clarity and calmness are crucial. It contrasts the common misconception of needing to speak fast with the importance of clarity and understanding. Techniques such as adding pauses and shortening sentences are suggested to achieve a more deliberate pace. The paragraph concludes with a discussion on the negative effects of mumbling, which can lead to being misunderstood and perceived as nervous. The solution is to open the mouth wider to produce clearer sounds and a louder volume.

10:01

🗣️ Improving Speech Clarity and Confidence

The third paragraph concludes the series by focusing on reducing word fillers and the importance of clear speech. It points out that fillers like 'well', 'but', and 'you know' can disrupt the flow of speech and make the speaker seem less confident. The solution is to replace these fillers with silent pauses, allowing the speaker to gather their thoughts without interrupting the speech. The paragraph also suggests recording oneself to identify areas for improvement, such as speaking too quickly, mumbling, or using upspeak. The advice is to work on one area at a time to gradually enhance speech clarity and confidence. Finally, the paragraph encourages viewers to expand their vocabulary to further enhance their ability to express ideas confidently.

Keywords

💡Professional

The term 'professional' refers to a level of competence or proficiency in a field that is characterized by adherence to high standards and ethical practices. In the context of the video, it is about sounding confident and avoiding habits that undermine one's credibility. For example, the script mentions avoiding apologizing before asking a question, which can project a lack of confidence, thus contradicting the professional demeanor one aims to maintain.

💡Confidence

Confidence is the belief in one's own abilities and the assurance that one can successfully perform a task or express an idea. The video emphasizes the importance of confidence in communication, as it is directly related to how others perceive one's competence. Phrases like 'you deserve it' and 'you're not confident in your ideas or in yourself' from the script illustrate the negative impact of lacking confidence on one's professional image.

💡Apologizing

Apologizing is the act of expressing regret or remorse for a perceived wrong or mistake. The script points out that while apologizing is necessary in certain situations, excessive or unwarranted apologies can make a person sound unprofessional and lacking in self-assurance. The example 'Sorry, I just have one question' is used to demonstrate how apologies can be misused to undermine one's own position.

💡Polite

Politeness refers to the behavior that shows consideration and respect for others. The video suggests that while politeness is important, it should not come at the expense of confidence. Alternatives like 'excuse me' and 'I'd like to share an idea' are presented as polite yet assertive ways to engage in conversation without diminishing one's authority.

💡Upspeak

Upspeak, also known as uptalk, is the practice of ending declarative sentences with a rising intonation, which can make statements sound like questions. The script warns against this habit as it can convey uncertainty and lack of conviction in one's own statements, such as 'I can complete that today' said with an upward inflection, which contradicts the intended assertiveness.

💡Criticizing

Criticizing oneself in a professional context, as mentioned in the script, involves making negative statements about one's abilities or experiences, such as 'I'm not very good at public speaking.' This self-deprecation can undermine credibility and confidence, as it signals to others that the speaker may not be reliable or competent.

💡Qualifiers

Qualifiers are words or phrases that modify or limit the meaning of a statement, often introducing doubt or uncertainty. The script advises minimizing the use of qualifiers like 'kind of', 'sort of', and 'probably', as they can weaken the force of one's statements and make the speaker seem less confident or decisive.

💡Slow Down

Speaking too quickly can be a sign of nervousness and may make it difficult for listeners to follow or understand the speaker. The video encourages slowing down speech to enhance clarity and convey a sense of calm and control. The script contrasts fast, nervous speech with the recommendation to 'add pauses' and 'shorten your sentences' for better communication.

💡Mumbling

Mumbling is speaking in a way that is difficult to understand, often due to not articulating words clearly or speaking too quietly. The script points out that mumbling can be a sign of nervousness or lack of confidence. It provides the example of the speaker's mouth not opening wide enough, resulting in quieter and less intelligible speech.

💡Word Fillers

Word fillers, such as 'well', 'but', 'so', and 'you know', are used when a speaker is thinking or formulating their thoughts. The script advises reducing the use of these fillers to avoid sounding uncertain or unprepared. It suggests replacing fillers with silent pauses to maintain the flow of speech without sacrificing clarity.

💡Vocabulary

Vocabulary refers to the range of words that a person knows and uses. The video concludes by emphasizing the importance of having a rich vocabulary to effectively communicate ideas with confidence. The script suggests that after mastering the communication techniques discussed, expanding one's vocabulary is the next step to enhance professional speech.

Highlights

Avoid apologizing excessively, especially before asking questions or sharing ideas, as it can signal a lack of confidence.

Instead of apologizing, use phrases like 'Excuse me, but...' or 'If this is a good time, I'd like to share an idea' to sound polite and confident.

Upspeak, or ending statements with a rising intonation, can make you sound uncertain. Practice using a lowering intonation for statements to convey confidence.

Criticizing yourself in a professional setting, such as admitting to not being good at something, can undermine confidence. Focus on positive statements about self-improvement.

Minimize the use of qualifiers like 'kind of', 'sort of', 'probably', and 'maybe' as they add doubt to your statements.

Speaking too fast can be a sign of nervousness and may make it difficult for others to understand you. Practice slowing down your speech.

Adding pauses before important points or by shortening sentences can help you slow down and improve clarity.

Mumbling, or not opening your mouth wide enough, can make you difficult to understand and signal nervousness. Practice opening your mouth more to improve volume and clarity.

Word fillers like 'well', 'but', 'so', and 'you know' can disrupt the flow of your speech. Aim to reduce their usage by adding silent pauses instead.

Recording yourself speaking is a powerful tool for identifying areas of improvement, such as speed, mumbling, upspeak, and word fillers.

Improving one area at a time can lead to noticeable progress in sounding more professional and confident.

Building a robust vocabulary is essential for confidently sharing ideas and can be achieved by watching additional lessons.

Practicing the correct intonation for questions and statements can significantly impact how confident you sound when speaking.

Understanding the importance of not undermining your abilities in a professional context can help build trust with colleagues and clients.

The natural tendency to speak faster when nervous can be counteracted by consciously slowing down and adding pauses.

Ensuring clear enunciation and proper volume is key to projecting confidence and being easily understood by others.

Reducing word fillers can make your speech more concise and impactful, improving the overall quality of your communication.

Transcripts

You want to sound professional and  confident when you speak in English.

To do that, avoid these seven bad habits that  make you sound unprofessional and not confident.

Number one, stop apologizing.

Of course, if you spill your coffee  on someone, you should apologize.

There are many times in your  life when you should apologize.

You do not have to apologize before you  ask a question or before you share an idea.

Sorry, I just have one question.

This shows that you're not that  confident in your ideas or in  

yourself and you're not sure if you  deserve the time or attention you do.

You do deserve it and I understand  you might want to sound polite when  

you say I'm sorry but and then you ask a question.

But there's a better way to sound polite and  still sound confident, still sound assured.

You can say excuse me but  and then ask your question.

Or if this is a good time,  I'd like to share an idea.

You can still add phrases that sound polite,  but when you say sorry but I have a question,  

it makes you sound not very  confident #2 and the upspeak?

Upspeak is when you have a rising  intonation at the end of your sentence.

You know, where everything has a  question mark at the end of it,  

with an upward inflection at  the end of every sentence.

You may be familiar with this because this is how  

we ask questions in English  when it's a yes, no question.

Do you have time?

Can you complete that today?

Notice you end by rising up.

Can you complete that today?

Because it's a yes, no question.

But if you're saying this as a statement, I can  complete that today and you rise at the end,  

it sounds like you're not sure that you can  complete it because it sounds like a question.

I can complete that.

Can you?

Are you sure you can to add  confidence in your statement?

Make sure you have a lowering intonation  when you're making a statement.

So let's practice that.

Let's practice purposely adding that upspeak  

so you know what it sounds  like and what it feels like.

I can complete that.

So that come up on add.

I can complete that.

You try.

I can complete that.

Now we don't want to do that.

We want to come down.

I can complete that.

So your tone comes down and your volume can  come down as well because your tone comes down.

I can complete that practice.

I can complete that.

So you can practice this record yourself.

See if you are using upspeak  at the end of sentences.

Remember you can do this at the  end of questions specifically.

Yes, no questions but for statements you want a  lowering intonation #3 stop criticizing yourself.

I'm sure you might not even see this as criticism,  but when you make a statement like I'm not very  

good at public speaking, I don't know how  to use Excel, I've never done that before.

These, you might think, are just  truths and you're telling the truth.

But there's a time and a place  to reveal this information.

And sharing this with your boss, your colleagues,  your clients is not the time or place.

You can tell your friend, I'm  not very good at public speaking.

I'm terrified of sharing my ideas in public.

But this is not information that you want to  reveal when you're in a professional situation,  

because if you don't have confidence in  your abilities, why would anybody else?

So you have to first have confidence in yourself  before other people will have confidence in you.

So instead of saying I'm terrible  at public speaking, simply stay.

Although I haven't had a lot  of experience public speaking,  

this is an area I'm committed to improving.

So you can still acknowledge the truth in  the situation but turn it into a positive.

I haven't used Excel in the past, but  I'm confident I can learn it quickly.

These are the types of statements you  want to share in a professional situation.

And of course, you can tell  your friends, your family,  

that you're in fact terrified of speaking  in public #4 keep qualifiers to a minimum.

What's a qualifier?

There are words like kind of sort of  probably maybe they add some doubt.

So if you say I'm kind of ready, I'm  sort of prepared, I can probably do it.

These add doubt and they make the  person you're talking to feel like  

you're not that confident in your own abilities.

And again, like we just talked about, if  you're not confident in your abilities,  

other people will also not be confident.

So instead of saying I'm kind of prepared,  just drop the qualifier drop kind of.

I'm prepared, I'm well prepared.

I spent the time preparing #5 slow down.

This one might be hard for you because there  are a lot of videos, I have them myself,  

that teach you how to speak faster  because native speakers speak fast.

The thing is that in those videos, you're  speaking fast by using connected speech.

You're not necessarily increasing the pace,  the speed that you're talking, but it sounds  

fast because you're connecting your speech and  you're not adding pauses, which sounds unnatural.

So that's the purpose of those videos.

Don't confuse this with needing to increase  your speed so you speak really, really fast.

Because as a natural tendency  of our body when we are nervous.

Let's say you were in a situation,  

you were walking alone at night and you heard  some noises and your heart starts racing.

And then you call someone to tell them you'll  

probably speak faster than  your normal speaking pace.

Because when we're nervous, your speech increases.

So if you're giving a presentation  or you're in a job interview,  

or you're sharing your ideas in a meeting and  you're speaking really fast, first of all,  

it may be difficult for people to understand  you, especially if you also speak with an accent.

But second of all, it sounds like you're nervous.

Even though you might not be nervous at all,  but speaking fast is a sign of nervousness.

There are two things you can do to slow your pace.

One, you can add pauses.

You can do this before introducing  an important point to build suspense.

You can also do this by shortening your sentences.

So rather than having one sentence with  three different pieces of information,  

you can share one idea, pause, share another  idea, pause, and then share a final idea.

Number six, stop mumbling.

When you mumble, it means  you don't open your mouth  

wide enough for the sound to be fully produced.

When someone Mumbles, it's very  difficult to understand them,  

and because they mumble, their  volume is automatically quieter.

So also, if you speak quietly, it's a sign  that you're nervous and you lack confidence.

But you might not be nervous, it's  simply because you're mumbling.

So right now this is an example of mumbling.

So notice my mouth isn't opening very wide.

Right then it was probably more  difficult to understand me,  

and it was probably slightly quieter as well.

So simply by opening your mouth, it  forces you to produce more of the sound.

Your volume will automatically  be louder, but your sounds will  

be easier to understand because you open  your mouth more #7 Reduce word fillers.

Word fillers are those words that have  no meaning like well, but but so well,  

you know that we add as we're forming our ideas.

Have you ever had a dreams that that you you  had you you you could you do you you want?

You, you could do so You you  do you could you, you want.

You want so you could be sharing your idea in  a meeting and say, well, you know, if we finish  

the the report by next Thursday, well then the  client, yeah, the client, the client will be OK.

So you added a lot of word fillers  as you're thinking of your ideas.

This is totally normal.

Native speakers use many, many word fillers.

You probably use them in your own language.

They're actually very easy to reduce.

Your goal isn't to eliminate them 100%.

Simply aim to reduce them.

And every month you can try to reduce them more  

and more until you use only one  to two word fillers per idea.

And you can do that simply  by adding a silent pause.

So as you're thinking of the information,  you just vocalize that you're thinking,  

so we went to this, oh, this  restaurant called, oh, what's the name?

So as you're thinking of the name of the  restaurant, you're just verbalizing your thought.

Instead say we went to this restaurant called.

What's the name of that restaurant?

Yes, it's called and then you  can eventually find the name.

And sure, there will be pauses,  but would you rather listen to  

10 seconds of pausing or 10 seconds of  you would rather listen to the pauses?

So adding a silent pause is a very easy solution.

The best advice I have for you  is to record yourself speaking  

and look for these areas that you need to improve.

Do you speak too quickly?

Do you mumble?

Do you use too many word fillers?

Do you use up speak?

And you can listen to yourself and  then you can identify which areas  

you need to improve and focus  on improving one at a time.

Now that you feel confident sharing  your ideas, you need the vocabulary.

Watch this lesson right now  to fill your vocabulary.