People who use these 9 phrases don't get taken seriously—make these 'powerful' swaps, says communication expert

You’re experienced. You’re sharp. You know what you’re talking about. So why is it that people sometimes talk over you, miss your emails, or overlook your ideas? Often, it comes down to the words you use.

As a keynote speaker, LinkedIn Learning Instructor, and author of “Unforgettable Presence,” I’ve taught dozens of Fortune 500 teams how to communicate with authority and confidence.

What I’ve found is that the most impactful perception changes come from transforming the small interactions you have every day, whether you’re writing an email, speaking up in a meeting, or even messaging in Slack. How you choose to communicate in these moments plays a huge role in how others see you.

Here are nine everyday phrases that might be quietly working against you — and what to say instead if you want people to stop ignoring you and start taking you seriously.

If you’re constantly prefacing your thoughts with “I think,” you may be signaling doubt, even when you’re confident.