🟢 That One Word That Can Dilute Your Message: “Like”

“I think we should, like, try a new direction.”

 “We could, like, push the deadline?”

 “I was, like, not sure if this was the right call.”

“Like” slips into our daily conversations and writing when we’re subconsciously buying time, softening a point, or quoting someone. 

Sure—you want to sound casual, but using “like” can also make you seem unsure, hesitant, or even inexperienced. —Especially in professional settings. Yet, we find ourselves using it like it has a mind of its own! 

🔁 Try these instead:

 ✅ “I think we should try a new direction.”

 ✅ “Let’s consider pushing the deadline.”

 ✅ “I’m not confident that this is the right approach.”

 ✅ “That decision caught me off guard.”

 ✅ “She said, she was done for the day, and went home.”

Removing “like” doesn’t make you sound rude—it makes you sound confident and clear.

🧠 Activity: Look at your last 3 emails or messages. Find a sentence with the word “like.” Rewrite the sentence with concise intentions, so it becomes more direct. 

You’ll feel the tone shift. 👍

You can always use “please” and “thank you” around a direct request or statement too. This says: I am honest and direct, but also polite and trustworthy. Because that’s probably how you intend to come across. 🤠

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