The Dirty Dozen Words & Phrases that Sabotage your Message: George Torok

If you knew the words that sabotage your message, would you stop using them? Learn what words to avoid and how to clean up your messages.

Episode 138

In this episode George Torok offers his insights about:

• Why you need to select your words thoughtfully
• What common phrases could you stop using to be better understood
• What are the perceptions that people might form based on your word choice
• Why it's important that the words you use are your choice, no excuses
• What are these 12 dirty phrases to stop using

George Torok is a specialist in communication skills. He coaches executives to deliver their message more successfully. That might be in conversation or presentation.

Learn more about his programs and the results of his clients at 

https://www.speechcoachforexecutives.com/

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Excerpts from this episode:

Let's review the dirty dozen words and phrases that sabotage your message. Take these words and phrases out of your messages, and you're more likely to be effective and successful when you speak. What are these Dirty Dozen?

 

The first category is the category of vague words, vagueness. And it's hard to come up with a vague word. If I tell you to come up with a vague word you probably it's difficult to come up with one because the concept itself vagueness does not help us think it does not help us see, what are the two biggest common mistakes of vagueness that people use.

They talk about stuff, get your stuff together, get your stuff, pick up your stuff. Well, what is stuff? What does stuff look like? What does stuff feel like? What does it smell like? When they say stuff? Do they mean your gear? Do they mean your books? Do they mean your materials? Do they mean the groceries?

What is the stuff? The only time that stuff is a good phrase is when you're talking about what you put in the turkey? Don't be a turkey stopped using stuff.

And the other one is things. And yes, there was a song from the sound of music. These are a few of my favourite things. And that case, it's okay. But other than that, stop using the word things. Why? Because again, what do you see?

What do you feel when you hear that word things? Oh, yeah, I really get it now. Now I understand. You're talking about things. It's vague. It doesn't tell us what you're talking about.

When you say things? What is it? You mean? Are you talking about benefits? Are you talking about products? Are you talking about problems? Are you talking about steps in a process? Are you talking about trucks? Are you talking about machinery? Are you talking about ideas?

Those are specific, and help people see and understand what you're talking about stuff and things are not clear. Get rid of them?

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If you're looking for more ideas on presentation skills, and you haven't yet, be sure to sign up for the weekly tips on present superior presentations.

And you can do that at  www.TorokTips.com

Remember to come back every week because most of the time we interview guest experts on communication from around the world. So far, we've had guests from 13 countries, which gives us a terrific perspective.

And every once in a while, you can tune into one of these solo shows where I will offer you some of my insights.

Remember, if you want to get your message across, get rid of the dirty dozen words and phrases that sabotage your message so that you can deliver your intended message.

If you liked what you heard, tell your friends and post your five star review on Apple podcasts because that helps more listeners find us come back every week for more practical insights to help you deliver your intended message.

I'm your host, George Torok

If you found this helpful and entertaining, be sure to listen to the upcoming Weed Word Alerts. They are short rants about silly words that people say.

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Your host is George Torok

George is a specialist in executive communication skills. That includes conversation and presentation. He’s fascinated by way we communicate and influence behaviors. He delivers training and coaching programs to help leaders and promising professionals deliver the intended message for greater success.

 

Connect with George

www.SpeechCoachforExecutives.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgetorokpresentations/

https://www.youtube.com/user/presentationskills

https://www.instagram.com/georgetorok/

 

For weekly tips to improve your presentations visit

https://toroktips.com/