Recently, I was delivering two virtual sessions for a client for International Women’s Day.

Then I was asked: “Can you do one in Spanish as well?”

Now, whilst I speak Spanish well, it had been a long time since I’d used it in a business setting. (I mainly use it when travelling)

And yet, I always tell my clients: get out of your comfort zone, push yourself, stretch your thinking.

So, I had to practice what I preach.

As I prepared, I realised something important. I had referenced a book in the English version of the session, and I wanted to make sure I used the correct terminology in Spanish. That meant checking how the book had been translated – because the exact words mattered.

That experience reinforced something I talk about often:

Words really do matter.

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Every word shapes how people see you

Every interaction creates an impression.

The words you choose signal who you are. Are you seen as someone who gets things done -solution-focused, proactive, and forward-thinking?

Or do your words lean towards excuses, blame, and problems?

People are constantly forming opinions based on how you communicate.

Words influence how others experience you

Do people experience you as helpful and constructive?

Or as someone who delivers bad news without offering a way forward?

A small shift – from “This won’t work” to “Here’s what we can do instead” – can completely change how you are perceived.

People remember how you make them feel

It’s often said that people forget what you say and what you do, but they remember how you made them feel.

Your words are a powerful driver of that feeling.

Small changes create big impact

Even minor adjustments in language can lead to significantly different outcomes – whether that’s in leadership, teamwork, or client relationships.

We know more words than we use

Research suggests the average person knows around 60,000 words.

Yet, in everyday communication, we rely on a tiny fraction of that – often repeating the same 100 words for most of our conversations.

We are creatures of habit.

And many of those habitual words can unintentionally create negative outcomes.

So, what happens to the other 56,000 words?

They sit unused.

Not because we don’t know them – but because we operate on autopilot.

We don’t always stop to think about the words we choose.

Awareness is the starting point

If we want to communicate more effectively, we need to become more conscious of our language.

• Notice the default words you use
• Identify those that create negative or limiting impressions
• Replace them with words that are more constructive, positive, and clear

Final thought

Most of us operate on habit. We default to the same phrases, the same language… the same comfortable words.

The question is: are they landing the way you think they are?

Because sometimes, getting better results isn’t about doing more – it often comes from doing or saying things differently.

And that requires stepping outside your comfort zone.

Not just in what you do – but in how you communicate.

By choosing your words – deliberately.