Seven words that quietly damage credibility, by Ruth Oji

Vanguard News | 03-09-2026 02:52am |

The article discusses how certain common words such as 'maybe', 'just', 'actually', 'obviously', 'whatever', 'literally', and 'basically' can undermine a professional's credibility when used habitually. It highlights an example of a senior consultant who unknowingly used hedging language in a presentation, weakening her authority. The piece emphasizes that these words are often used reflexively without awareness of their impact on how others perceive conviction and competence.

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