Four Powerful Phrases to Get Others to Listen to Your Ideas at Work, Says Communication Expert

By Moon Harper

Jul 08, 2024 07:12 AM EDT

A photo of two persons talking with each other — (Photo : Pexels/Photo by fauxels)

You do not need to hold the CEO title or manager to wield influence in the office. You just need to incorporate certain words into your vocabulary to get others to support your projects and advance your career, Stanford University lecturer and communication expert Matt Abrahams advises.

As careers significantly evolve due to the increased remote and virtual environments, forging paths and gaining support for the initiatives you try to pursue is critical without face-to-face interactions.

Here are four powerful words anyone can use to increase influence at work, as advised by experts

1. Using "Because"

In situations ranging from requesting to cut in line to presenting your reasoning, using the word "because" when persuading someone to take action yields compelling results, where more people will listen and comply with your request, Wharton marketing professor Jonah Berger shared with CNBC Make It in February.

Berger adds that the reason itself did not solely drive persuasion but was based on the power of the word itself.

2. Using "Recommend"

Berger wrote in his book "Magic Words: What to Say to Get Your Way," published last year, that substituting "recommend" for "like" conveys a similar kind of influence, which increases the likelihood of people accepting suggestions by 32%.

Using "like" implies personal preference, whereas "recommend" suggests broader enjoyment by others. Endorsers who recommend also imply their personal approval.

Berger also observed that the present tense is more likely to persuade than the past tense. According to research from the University of Toronto Scarborough, using the present tense enhances specificity and concreteness in communication, helping the audience better visualize the point and feel more psychologically connected to the speaker.

3. Asking for "Help"

Knowing how and when to ask for help can enhance one's influence, Henna Pryor, a workplace performance coach based in Philadelphia, told CNBC Make It last month.

Individuals should conduct thorough research and attempt to reach conclusions independently. However, when uncertainty arises, Pryor said acknowledging the need for additional guidance can save time and money and protect one's reputation.

Asking for help fosters a culture of cooperation where individuals learn from each other and collaborate to find solutions. Moreover, knowing that your colleagues support you enhances the sense of psychological safety within your organization.

4. Using Inclusive Words: "Us and We"

Using inclusive language such as "us" and "we" instead of "you" and "me" can make people more receptive to your arguments, psychology research from the Stanford Graduate School of Business published last year reveals.

Inclusive language consists of words and phrases that avoid biases, slang, and expressions that discriminate against groups of people based on race, gender, socioeconomic status, and ability, which helps resonate with a broader audience by speaking and writing in ways that everyone understands and that make everyone feel welcome, as per Hubspot.