5 Power Phrases Every Executive Needs to Master

Hi there,

Welcome to Wisdom Wednesday. In today’s newsletter, I want to focus on the art of powerful communication, specifically phrases that elevate you to an executive presence.

5 Power Phrases Every Executive Needs to Master

As aspiring business leaders, you understand the importance of clear and concise communication. But to truly stand out, you need to go beyond just getting the message across. You need to inspire action, build trust, and project confidence – all through your words.

1. "Let's schedule a follow-up to..."

This phrase emphasizes a proactive approach to continuing the discussion. It sets the expectation of a dedicated time for further exploration.

Pro Tip: Follow up with a specific timeframe for the next meeting and a clear list of everyone’s tasks before the next meteting. This shows respect for everyone's valuable time.

Example: "We had a productive discussion on the marketing strategy. Let's schedule a follow-up meeting at 4 pm on Wednesday next week. Julia - can you analyse the sales figures for April by then?"

2. "I hear what you're saying, and..."

This phrase acknowledges your understanding of another person's viewpoint before presenting your own perspective. It fosters a sense of respect and openness to different ideas. It can often be used to disagree politely.

Pro Tip: Actively listen and paraphrase the key points of the other person's message before adding your own thoughts.

Example: "I hear what you're saying about the potential risks of this new market. However, the potential rewards are also significant. Let's explore strategies to address your concerns."

Example - disagreeing politely: “I hear what you are saying, but we don’t have the budget for 3 full-time staff on your team. Can you see a way forward with only 2 people and a trainee?”

3. "Can you elaborate on that?"

This phrase demonstrates your active listening and encourages further explanation. It shows genuine interest in another person's ideas and allows you to gain a deeper understanding.

Pro Tip: Use this phrase when someone presents an interesting idea or raises a concern that needs clarification. It also gives you time to think about a more in-depth response.

Example: "That's an interesting point about the customer loyalty program. Can you elaborate on how you see it impacting our sales figures?"

4. "What are your thoughts on...?"

This phrase invites participation and encourages others to share their opinions. It fosters collaboration and promotes a team-oriented environment.

Pro Tip: Use this phrase to get support for a project or to gather diverse perspectives before making a decision.

Example: "We've identified several potential vendors for the software upgrade. What are your thoughts on each option, considering their functionalities and budget constraints?"

5. "Let's move forward with..."

This phrase signifies decisiveness and initiative. It demonstrates your confidence in a plan and motivates the team to take action.

Pro Tip: Ensure everyone is on board with the decision before moving forward.

Example: "After careful consideration, we believe the benefits outweigh the risks. Let's move forward with launching the new product line in the third quarter."

All these phrases are designed to give your staff reassurance that their opinions matter and that they are being listened to.

Remember:

Effective communication is a skill honed over time. Practice these power phrases in your daily interactions, both written and verbal. Actively seek opportunities to refine your communication style, and soon you'll be captivating audiences and commanding respect as the confident business leader you aspire to be.

Word of the Day - Smart

Smart - adjective - having or showing a high degree of mental ability - intelligent - bright.

“That was a very smart investment.”

This is the meaning of smart in the Steve Jobs quote above.

The word ‘smart’ is also used in ‘smartphone’ or ‘smartwatch’. Unlike normal phones and watches, they have computing power making them ‘intelligent’.

Also:

Smart - adjective - having a clean, tidy and stylish appearance.

“You must be very smart for your interview.”

Watch the News - Ethereum ETF approval?

In January of this year, Bitcoin ETFs were approved in the USA. Tomorrow (Thursday 23rd May) the regulator will decide on Ethereum ETFs.

Most commentators expected the Ethereum ETF approval to be rejected this time (though there would always be a chance in the future). However, a Bloomberg analyst increased the odds for approval from 25% to 75% on Monday of this week. This sent the Ethereum price up 22%.

What it means

Tomorrow will almost certainly be a very volatile day. Just like with Bitcoin, approval will be very Bullish for ETH in this market cycle (probably until 2025) and beyond.

Approval may also show a political swing in the USA with both the Democrats and Republicans warming to the idea of cryptocurrencies.

Do you have any Business English questions?

Please email me and I will do my best to answer them in future newsletters.

Until Friday - have a great day!

Iain.

www.communicateenglish.com

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