Good and Bad Speech Habits
Good and Bad Speech Habits
Speech habits are the words and phrases that you use every day, without thought. We all have speech habits.
You originally learned your speech habits from your parents, your family and your close friends. Later you acquired speech habits from school, films, books and the wider social environment.
Some speech habits are beneficial. They act to further your best interests and advance your career.
Other speech habits are liabilities. They are detrimental to your professional reputation and your earnings.
Words create and destroy.
If you use language thoughtfully, then your words will open doors for you.
If you use language thoughtlessly, then your words will bar you from progress.
If you have NOT made the progress you expected, then check your speech habits.
Could it be that the cause of your recent lack of progress, is the way you speak to people?
If in doubt, check it out.
Bad Speech Habits.
Here is a list of common bad speech habits.
1. Any form of casual swearing or profanity.
Needless, habitual swearing is the most common and easily corrected bad speech habit.
2. Catch phrases.
Some people pick up personal "catch phrases" that they repeat and don't even know they are doing it. For example:
- Like: "So I said, like, I don't want to go."
- At the end of the day: "At the end of the day, it is the customer who is king."
- Innit: "That's good, innit?
3. Badmouthing other people.
Backstabbing is a common pass time for many people, where they criticise people behind their backs, especially work colleagues.
4. Talking too much about oneself.
This is when you take everything the other says to be a trigger to talk about yourself.
Example. John says, "I'm going to book my holiday tomorrow".
Simon says, "I've already booked mine. I'm going to New York. I've been there before. I had a great time ..."
Good speech habits.
The solution to these bad speech habits is to develop good speech habits instead:
1. Use expletives that aren't swear words.
The English language is full of better alternatives.
Instead of saying, "I'm knackered!", say, "I'm exhausted".
Instead of saying, "He is a real pain in the ass", say "He is rather over-opinionated".
2. Use only good catch phrases.
Here are the two best catch phrases:
"Would you please, shut the door as you go out?", as opposed to, "Shut the door as you go out."
"Thank you very much. I appreciate it". Failure to appreciate people is a common error.
3. Refrain from needless badmouthing people.
This is self-explanatory. Don't needlessly denigrate colleagues.
It does not help anyone, least of all you.
4. Don't talk too much about yourself.
Your conversation should be shared about 50-50% between you and the other.
Or if you want to be classy, let the other person do the lion's share of the talking.
Remember that listening is a big compliment, since it implies you believe the other to be interesting and worth listening to.
And there is another benefit associated to listening more than you speak; if you are NOT talking, then you cannot put your foot in it.
Sometimes, silence is golden.
About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years’ experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
Blogs by Email
Do you want to receive an email whenever we post a new blog? The blogs contain article 5-10 minutes long - ideal for reading during your coffee break!
Further Reading in Communication - Persuasive Communication
-
How to gain more confidence when speaking
Self confidence: Do you want to know how to gain more self confidence when speaking? Last week, I received a phone call from a man who wanted to know if I could help him with his low levels of self-confidence. The conversation went on for over an hour and it was...
Read Article > -
How to Improve my Negotiation Skills
Improving negotiation skills is essential to enable you to achieve better outcomes. Enhanced negotiation abilities helps build stronger relationships, resolve conflicts more effectively, and secure advantageous deals, contributing to overall success.
Read Article > -
Influencing skills - Being right is not enough to win
Influencing Skills Being right is not enough to win. You can be right and still lose if you use the wrong tactics. If you are right, but you word your message carelessly then you could easily lose-out to a person with a weaker idea, but who can explain it properly. So...
Read Article > -
Three Steps to Better Communication Skills
It is important to become a good communicator, since to achieve your goals, you need to gain the willing cooperation of others around you.
Read Article > -
Better Negotiation Skills
Learn how to improve negotiation skills for positive outcomes. Discover negotiation strategies, perceived value, avoiding errors, and enhance your skillset with targeted training courses.
Read Article >
Looking for Communication Skills Training?
If you're looking to develop your Persuasive Communication Skills, you may find this Communication Skills Training Course beneficial:
Open Training Course Pricing and Availability
Next Open Course Starts in 11 days, London - Central, places available