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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”? No wonder! One startling reason is that we are not taught to communicate in proportion to the channels we use. Take a look.

Listening Speaking Reading Writing
Learning First Second Third Fourth
Used Most (45%) Most (30%) Least (16%) Least (9%)
Taught Least Least Most Most

See what I mean. Think back on your education for a reality check. 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 people responded positively to the most. But first, a pop quiz. From the 36 words below, you circle the twelve power words 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.

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.

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

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 …

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. I think I can guess your choice!