| Swap Out | Swap In | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| I think… | I recommend… | Shows conviction and confidence rather than doubt. |
| Does that make sense? | Let me know if you’d like me to clarify anything. I’m happy to elaborate. |
Keeps tone collaborative without implying your point wasn’t clear. |
| Sorry to bother you… | I wanted to follow up on my last note… I need to let my boss know by Thursday… |
Positions your message as purposeful, not an inconvenience. |
| I’m no expert, but… | Here’s what I’m seeing based on my experience. One perspective to consider is… |
Maintains humility while preserving authority and credibility. |
| I was wondering if maybe… | Would you be open to…? Could we find time next week to discuss? |
Removes tentativeness, making your request clear and easier to act on. |
| Just checking in… | Following up on the proposal I sent… One other idea to consider… |
Eliminates minimizing language and adds clarity and purpose. |
| I’ll try to… | I’ll take care of that by [time]. I’ll update the slides before our next meeting. |
Shifts from uncertain to action-oriented language, increasing trust. |
| Happy to help with whatever… | I’d love to support [specific task]. What would be most helpful? |
Demonstrates generosity while setting clear boundaries and highlighting your value. |
| This might be a dumb question… | Quick question — curious how you’re thinking about… To clarify… |
Avoids negative self-labeling and builds credibility while inviting clarification. |
Credit to this article, which I put into a table cheatsheet format.