The key to sounding powerful without sounding aggressive

By Brian Maynor

 

Words are powerful.

They convey how we feel, our emotions and provide context, whether we’re speaking or writing, so it is important to choose them with care.

When it comes to selecting our words, we generally have a choice between hard words and soft words.  Understanding the difference is crucial to get our point across and the key to sounding powerful without sounding aggressive.

Here is a quick breakdown of hard and soft words and when to use them:

1.   Hard words.  Hard words tend to be short, one-syllable words that deliver a sharp sound.  They are often used when we want to exhibit firmness or decisiveness.  These words definitely get the point across in no uncertain terms.  Some examples include:  hard, simple, correct and accept.

2.    Soft words.  Soft words tend to have more letters and syllables and sound more sophisticated and descriptive.  They also have less of an impact on the audience.  These words include:  difficult, legitimate, acknowledge and simultaneously.

3.    When to use each type.  There are pros and cons to each type of word.  Hard words are concise, rigid and emotionless.  This makes them powerful options when we have an important message to share.  These qualities also mean they can be heard as a command rather than a statement.

Soft words tend to come across as gentle, but vague.  They are ideal when trying to get others to buy into or understand what is being said.  Public figures and governments often use soft words because they sound intelligent and are less likely to offend.  However, they don’t really address any issues or problems.

4.    Using both is best.  Using both hard and soft words is the ideal way of getting a message across effectively.  It’s a good practice to use mainly hard words because they are easier to understand and more impactful when delivering information, but we also need soft words to smooth out the edges and make that message palatable.

We make the choice between hard and soft words every day, and it impacts our ability to communicate.  It may be worth the effort to track the words we use the most and see if they are overly hard or overly soft.  This will also help us to see if we need to swap a few out to be more effective communicators.

 

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I am always curious to hear about your weekend wardrobe dilemmas and help make your work wardrobe pull double duty.  Email your questions, quandaries and conundrums to [email protected].  Also find each of these storyboards at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.

 

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.

 

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