7 words and phrases that undermine your authority

Nobody wants to sound weak. We all have a desire to be heard and taken seriously when we speak in meetings and other situations. But so many people pack their prose with words that discourage people from taking them seriously. Avoid the following words if you want to come across as a strong, convincing speaker. 1) JUST This word is an attention killer! Yet it  is used all the time by speakers.   For example “I just want to say,” or “It’s just a thought,” or “Let me  just add that….” In all these instances the word “just” reduces the speaker by suggesting that what follows is of little value...