5 common phrases that make you sound insecure 😳

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Hi Reader,

I used to think confidence was something you had to “feel” first.

Turns out, one of the easiest ways to be confident…

…is to start by sounding like it.

(Shocking, I know 😉)

Even if your voice is shaking.

Even if your heart’s racing.

Even if you’re second-guessing every sentence as you say it.

I didn’t start paying attention to the way I spoke at work until a few years into my career.

And I wish I had noticed it much, much sooner.

It wasn’t the big, obvious things.

It was the tiny phrases I used without even realizing:

• “Sorry I’m late!”
• “Does that make sense?”
• “I feel like we should…”

These phrases might seem harmless in the moment.

But over time, they quietly chip away at how others see you—even when your ideas are strong.

Your Career Bite

You don’t have to change your personality to project confidence.

But you do need to know how your words are shaping others’ perceptions of you.

Want to instantly sound more confident and credible? Try these 5 simple swaps:

❌ Instead of: “Sorry I’m late.”

✅ Try: “Thanks for your patience.”

This one shifts the focus from your mistake to appreciation for their grace—and sounds much more confident.

❌ Instead of: “Does that make sense?”

✅ Try: “Let me know if you have any questions.”

You’re not casting doubt on what you just said. You’re inviting engagement.

❌ Instead of: “I’ll try to get this done next week.”

✅ Try: “I’ll get this to you by Tuesday.”

Don’t be wishy-washy. Commit to a timeline, and if things need to change later on, give them a heads up.

❌ Instead of: “I feel like we should…”

✅ Try: “My recommendation is…”

Especially in cross-functional meetings, this one signals that you’re thinking strategically (not emotionally).

❌ Instead of: “I just wanted to…”

✅ Try: Nothing.

Cutting “just” out of your sentences is one of the fastest ways to boost your authority.

This is not about being robotic or overly formal. It’s about showing up in a way that matches the quality of your ideas.

If you’re doing great work, your words should reflect that.

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