POWER WORDS – WEASEL WORDS – How to Emphasize One and Avoid the Other

POWER WORDS – WEASEL WORDS
How to Emphasize One and Avoid the Other
How many times have you heard (from your boss, parent, significant other), “What we have here is a failure to communicate”?

Think About How You Learned to Communicate
No wonder! One startling reason is that we are not taught to communicate in the same ratios to the channels we use. Take a look at this portrayal of how we were all exposed to the four major avenues of communication.

See what I mean. Think back on your education for a reality check. Bottom line is that listening and speaking represent 75% of our communications … yet we were minimally trained in either one vs. reading and writing.

Twelve Words to Enhance Your Speaking & Listening Skills
In this article, you will learn a dozen words that could change your life and maximize your communication effectiveness. Use the twelve words that a Yale University study found to be the most persuasive and that elicit the most positive responses from people.

Audience Participation
But first, a pop quiz. From the 36 words below, you circle the twelve power words you think were revealed in the study. Correct answers will follow, but no peeking.

Sin, Results, Go, Hungry, Win, Sex, Gain, Faith, Do, Me, Leap,

Proven, Easy, Money, You, Warm, I, Safety, Health, Fun, Discovery,

Work, Live, New, Guarantee, Fight, Give, Great, Stop, Fear, Free,

Good, Save, Fame, Love, Smile

If you get all 12 correct, you are a professional communicator. Ten to 12 is above average. Eight to 10 is average. A score of less than 8 indicates you must be an expert in something else

Practical Applications for Success
So how can your discovery of these proven new words generate results, make you more money, save you time and provide safety in knowing that you are an accomplished communicator? Easy! Use them in your emails, on the phone, face-to-face, in resumes and correspondence. You will love the results – guaranteed. Plus, expect positive responses which are always a boost to our emotional health and well-being.

(Did I miss any in this paragraph? Here’s the list)
You, Save, Results, Health, Love, Proven, Money, New, Easy, Safety, Discovery, Guaranteed.

The Alternative is Not Attractive
Now for weasel words, meaning words that weaken your communications by diluting any real meaning, and often said to not offend someone or run the risk of being contradicted. People using weasel words are easily spotted. Their communications are suspect and their integrity often questioned as it frequently appears they are leaving themselves a way out if criticized or faced with an opposing point of view. Here are a few examples … you’ll think of many more. Can’t, Maybe, Should, Someday, Might …

Your Choice
So, like most things in life … your choice. Will it be the path of superior communication to maximize your success … or the rocky road of half-truths and never taking a stand. Bet I can guess your choice!