by Laura Camacho
Working in the professional development and communication coaching world for over 20 years, it’s apparent that there are patterns of communication, and patterns of business success. I venture to say to there is more variety in the type of businesses that stay profitable, but they all manage to find and serve clients.
Successful business owners share common communication patterns, regardless of the path they took to grow their companies.
The underlying neuro science shows that words affect the way we feel in our bodies. Given that women business owners have a lot going on in our lives, it behooves us to monitor our conversations.
No matter what the industry, these are three phrases successful business owners avoid saying:
1. I have to…
Probably you’re a responsible person who feels you must do things like, feed your children, pay your employees on time and keep things tidy. These are great things to do, but no one is forcing you to do these. As an example, you choose to get up early to prepare breakfast because you appreciate sending off your family with a morning meal.
It seems trivial, but notice how you feel when you start saying “I have to …” and compare that with saying “I choose to…” Alternatively, how does saying “It pleases me to pay my employees on time” feel inside your body?
2. I hope…
Hope is not a plan. While certainly there are variables out of our control, like the weather, you are better served by focusing on what you can control, or influence. You may hope it doesn’t rain on your planned picnic, but when discussing your business, express your aspirations more powerfully by saying “I’m committed to…” or “I’m determined to…”.
3. You make me…
A sentence starting with these three words is more likely to crop up in a conversation among close friends or family members. Beware!!! Whether you’re saying “You make me so angry” or “You make me so happy”, you are giving away all your power to feel one way or another to the other person.
This is not to deny your feelings, but rather encouragement to take responsibility for them. You will find that responsible attitude in anyone’s language of success.
Laura Camacho, MBA, PhD, PMP, is an executive coach, trainer and speaker who opened Mixonian Institute in 2009 to rid the world of boring business communication. She has created innovative training programs for local and international companies, related to leadership effectiveness, excellent feedback, growth mindset and emotional intelligence. Multilingual, Dr. Camacho’s career highlights include facilitating The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (in Spanish,) being editor of the leading management newsletter in Venezuela. For 10 years she taught communication classes at ECU and College of Charleston. www.mixonian.com
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