Hello powerhouse women! We all know that strong communication is key to success, especially in leadership positions. Yet many of us stumble over the same avoidable mistakes that dilute our messages. Have you ever heard of "hedging"? Or wondered why too many words can sometimes do more harm than good? In this article, we’ll explore what hedging and tagging are, how excessive communication and hyper-correctness can weaken your message, and—most importantly—how to avoid these pitfalls.
Being a strong, confident, and sovereign woman doesn’t mean becoming aggressive or losing touch with your softer, caring, and feminine side. Strength and femininity are not mutually exclusive. A woman who feels comfortable in her skin and lives by her own rules exudes something magical.
However, even the most self-assured leaders sometimes find themselves hesitating or hiding behind weak statements. This often happens out of fear of triggering negative reactions or disappointing others. In such moments, we resort to so-called "hedging" techniques. In the following main section, you’ll learn more about these and other communication traps and how to avoid them.
1. Hedging – What is it, really?
Hedging refers to the practice of softening or qualifying statements to avoid making a definitive assertion. Typical phrases include "We’ll see" or "Nothing is final yet." This form of communication conveys uncertainty and can weaken trust in your leadership. While it might be tempting to use hedges to avoid negative reactions, this can undermine your credibility in the long run.
My suggestion: Be clear and direct.
Instead of saying "I’m not sure, but I think we should do this," say clearly and directly: "I believe this is the best approach."
Drop phrases like "I’m not an expert, but..." and say: "Based on my experience, I think..."
Avoid saying "Can I ask a question?" and just ask the question.
2. Tagging – The hidden questions
Tagging means adding small questions at the end of a statement, like "Okay?" or "Right?". This signals that you’re not confident in your statement and are seeking confirmation. Tags can also be conveyed through body language and tone, such as raising your voice at the end of a sentence or shrugging.
My tip: Stand by your statements without seeking confirmation.
Instead of saying "That’s a good idea, right?" simply say "That’s a good idea."
Instead of "We should do this, right?" it’s better to say "We should do this."
3. Hyper-correctness and Over-communication
Hyper-correctness refers to the excessive use of formal language and rules, which can seem unnatural. This can make your messages stiff and less accessible. Similarly, excessive modifiers like "really," "very," or "quite" can weaken your statements by adding unnecessary emphasis.
Plain talk: Avoid unnecessary modifiers and formal language. Speak naturally and confidently.
Instead of "I am really very excited about this project," simply say "I am excited about this project."
Don’t say "I would like to politely request your presence at the meeting," but "Please be at the meeting."
And "I think this might possibly be a good idea," is better as "This is a good idea."
It all starts with awareness of these communication patterns. Ask yourself how often you use hedging expressions or tags. The more aware you become of these patterns, the easier it will be to change them. Practice speaking directly and clearly. This doesn’t mean being rude or harsh, but confident and authentic.
In conclusion: It’s time to clean up weak messages! By avoiding hedging, reducing your communication to the essentials, and letting go of excessive correctness, you can appear even stronger as a leader. Always remember: Your words have power—use them wisely. And if you catch yourself falling back into old habits, don’t worry—practice makes perfect. You have what it takes to deliver clear and strong messages. So, let’s go—show the world what female leadership really looks like!
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