Make Your Opinion Matter 95
If you want your ideas to be taken seriously, state them
without qualifiers. Avoid saying,
I think you are scheduled to start at 9:00 a.m. and it looks like
you have come in at 9:25 a.m. four out of five days this week.Say,
You are scheduled to come in at 9:00 a.m., and you have
come in at 9:25 a.m. four out of five days.Use the words “I think,” “I believe,” and “My opinion is”
only if
- You have a reasonable doubt.
- The person you are speaking to is threatened by such
strong wording—particularly when the conversation
is getting sensitive. - You are looking for discussion rather than buy-in.
Otherwise state your opinion and let it stand.
PowerPhrases to Express Opinions Say
What You Mean
In order to be clear in expressing opinions, you need to be clear
within your self. What do you really think? What do you really
mean?
When Kathy’s boss wanted to introduce mandatory drug
testing, Kathy feared for the company. She knew that half of