Please read https://www.forbes.com/2010/04/26/words-work-communication-forbes-wo

Question

Please read https://www.forbes.com/2010/04/26/words-work-communication-forbes-woman-leadership-career.html#23b3f18d499a and write four or five sentences for each part ( "Try" "whatever" "Maybe and I dont know",etc) about whether you agree or disagree with her point of view

Worst Words to Use at Work? Displaying Confidence with Words In a Forbes magazine article called "Worst Words to Say at Work," business consultant and psychotherapist Linnda Durre listed nine words or phrases that show someone is not confident. These phrases, according to Durre, cause others to perceive you as undependable and untrustworthy. To read the article, go to www.forbes.com/2010/04/26/words-work-communication- forbes-woman-leadership-career.html. Then respond to each of the following, which are excerpted from her article, with four to five sentences about whether you agree or disagree with her point of view A. Try is a weasel word. "Well, I'll try," some people say. It's a cop-out. They're just giving you lip service when they probably have no real intention of doing what you ask. B. Whatever This word is a trusted favorite of people who want to dismiss you, diminish what you say, or get rid of you quickly.It's an insult and a verbal slap in the face. It's a way to respond to a person without actually responding. C. Maybe and I don't know People will sometimes avoid making a decision and hide behind these words. Sometimes during a confrontation people will claim not to know something or offer the noncommittal response "maybe," just to avoid being put on the spot. D. I'll get back to you-When people need to buy time or avoid revealing a project's status, they will say, "l get back to you," and they usually never do.

Explanation / Answer

A. I do not agree with Linnda Durre's point of view that try is a weasel word. The word "try" is used by someone who is partly sure of their abilities to complete a work. This does not necessarily mean that do not have real intention of doing what is asked. It is better to be clear on one's abilities and using the word "try" rather than using "can" and struggling to complete the task or using "can't" and losing a good opportunity.

B. I agree with the author's point of view on the word whatever. It means that the person is not interested in the conversation. It also implies one is dismissing or diminishing others. It is definitely an insult to others and should be avoided.

C. I partly agree to author's view on the words Maybe and I don't know. There is nothing wrong in using I don't know when a person legitimately does not know something. However, maybe is not a clear word and it should be substituted with I don't know so as to be more clear in the conversation. Using maybe becomes ambiguous to others.

D. I partly agree to aouthor's opinion on the words I'll get back to you. While it is true that a person is buying more time to take a decision, it is not true that people will never get back to you. However, it is a good idea to obtain a confirmation from others regarding date and time.

E. I do not agree completely with the author's view on the word If. It is too generalised and only used in a negative context in this case. In a positive context, it may mean that an employee is more clear on what is expected from others and on what one can accomplish. It does not always mean that people are trying to give excuses and free themselves from potential failures.

F. I agree to the author's view on the usage of Yes... but words. These are definitely the words used in most of the cases to give excuses and free onself from taking responsibility. One can be sure that an employee who uses these words frequently is definitely trying to free themselves from responsibilities. However, in rare cases using these words may really show one's inability to complete a task under the given circumstances.

G. I agree with the author's view on the words I guess. Using these words in a work environment is definitely not professional. One can either be sure or not sure. Instead of using I guess, it is better to replace it with I don't know or this is what I think and then support it through logical arguments.

H. I agree with the author's view on the words We'll see. In almost all the cases, the words imply that a decision cannot be made at that moment and that the other person in the conversation is going to be disappointed. It is better to be more decisive and to ask for more information rather than using the words We'll see.   

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