Chapter 1: Words Every Pro Should Own

Imani Rhodes

Welcome to Speak. Think. Serve. I’m Imani Rhodes, and I’m here with Miles Carter. Today, we’re talking about something that’s honestly changed my entire approach to leadership—intentional language. Not just what you say, but how you say it, and why it matters more than most people realize.

Miles Carter

Yeah, and I’ll just say up front—if you’re the kind of person who thinks, “Eh, words are just words,” you might wanna stick around. Because the research is pretty clear: the way you phrase things, even tiny shifts, can totally change how people see you. Harvard and Yale both did studies on this—subtle language tweaks actually impact how confident and trustworthy you seem.

Imani Rhodes

And I’ve seen it firsthand. Back when I worked in HR, I remember this one meeting—super tense, everyone on edge. There was this project delay, and people were pointing fingers. I could feel the room getting ready to explode. And I just said, “Let me make sure I understand. You’re frustrated because the timeline changed, but you didn’t get a heads-up. Is that right?”

Miles Carter

That’s such a simple move, but it’s huge. You didn’t defend, you didn’t blame—you just clarified. That’s the kind of thing that builds trust in the moment.

Imani Rhodes

Exactly. The energy shifted. People stopped talking over each other. It’s like, when you use clear, purposeful words, you’re not just filling space—you’re actually building a foundation for trust. And honestly, that’s what great leaders do best. They don’t need to be the loudest in the room. They just need to be the clearest.

Miles Carter

And it’s not about fancy vocabulary, right? It’s about being intentional. Like, swapping “I think” for “I believe”—that’s a tiny change, but it makes you sound more confident. Or saying “The next step is…” instead of just letting things hang. It’s practical, not fluffy.

Imani Rhodes

Yeah, and it’s not just about sounding smart. It’s about making people feel safe, respected, and heard. That’s what opens doors—sometimes quietly, but powerfully.

Miles Carter

So let’s get into the real tools. This first chapter is all about the fundamentals—ten essential phrases that form the foundation of a powerful professional vocabulary. These are the building blocks. They make you sound calm, prepared, and like you actually have your act together. Each one is simple, sticky, and immediately usable. And as we go, each chapter will build on this—getting sharper, stronger, and more strategic. We’re stacking skills in order, so they actually stick .I’ll run through the first 10, and then we’ll break them down. Ready?

Imani Rhodes

Let’s do it. Hit-us with all-ten!

Miles Carter

Alright, here’s the hit list: “Absolutely.”

Miles Carter

“The next step is…”

Miles Carter

“Let me make sure I understand.”

Miles Carter

“That’s a fair point.”

Miles Carter

“I’ll take care of it.”

Miles Carter

“What I’m hearing is…”

Miles Carter

“I’ll confirm and get back to you.”

Miles Carter

“I see where you’re coming from.”

Miles Carter

“Can I offer another perspective?”

Miles Carter

And, “Let’s not guess—let’s ask.”

Imani Rhodes

I mean, just hearing those, you can feel the difference, right? Like, “Absolutely” is so much stronger than “I guess that works.” It’s confident, but not aggressive.

Miles Carter

Totally. And “The next step is…”—that’s my favorite. It kills confusion. Instead of letting things drift, you’re closing the loop. You sound like a closer, not a drifter. I use that one in almost every meeting.

Imani Rhodes

And “Let me make sure I understand”—that’s the one I used in that HR story. It’s a trust builder. People feel heard, and it diffuses tension. I actually had a client once who said, “That phrase made me feel like you were on my side, not just trying to win the argument.”

Miles Carter

Yeah, and “I’ll take care of it”—that’s accountability in two seconds. But you gotta deliver, right? Don’t say it if you’re not gonna follow through. That’s how you build—or lose—trust fast.

Imani Rhodes

Exactly. And “What I’m hearing is…”—that’s active listening. It’s like, you’re showing people you’re actually paying attention, not just waiting for your turn to talk. That’s rare, and people notice.

Miles Carter

And “Let’s not guess—let’s ask.” That one’s underrated. It kills gossip, stops assumptions, and brings clarity into the room. I wish more teams used that instead of just spinning in circles.

Imani Rhodes

Honestly, if you just pick three of these and use them today, you’ll feel the difference. It’s not about memorizing a script—it’s about upgrading your daily language so you sound sharp, calm, and in control.

Miles Carter

And if you’re listening, maybe try this: pick your favorite phrase, use it in a real conversation, and just notice how people respond. It’s like a cheat code for trust and clarity.

Imani Rhodes

So, how do you actually make these phrases stick? It’s like building a muscle—you can’t just read about it, you have to practice. We actually created a little game for this, right?

Miles Carter

Yeah, and it’s super simple. Every day, pick one phrase from the list. Use it in a real conversation—at work, with your family, wherever. Then, at the end of the day, ask yourself: Did it change the vibe? Did it make things clearer or easier? That’s your rep. Do it again tomorrow with a new phrase. It’s like a communication workout.

Imani Rhodes

And if you want to level up, try listening for “sloppy language” in your own speech—stuff like “kinda,” “maybe,” “I guess.” Swap one of those out for a power phrase. It’s a small shift, but over time, it rewires how you show up.

Miles Carter

A simple way to practice is just using these phrases in real life—on the job, in conversations, or when texting a client. But if you want a quick tune-up, check out the game in the additional resources of this chapter. It’ll push you to think fast, choose wisely, and build that “clear and calm under pressure” voice. That’s how you build the habit. -Okay, now -Let’s show how we can actually use these phrases in real conversations. I’ll say the phrase—and Imani’s gonna drop it into a real-world sentence, like you’d hear in the office, in a meeting, or during a client call. Then I’ll break down why it works. First one—Absolutely. It’s stronger than “sure” and cleaner than “okay.”

Imani Rhodes

Client: “Can we reschedule to Thursday instead of Wednesday?" -Me: “Absolutely. I’ll update the calendar and send a confirmation.”

Miles Carter

The next step is...

Imani Rhodes

Teammate: “So are we just waiting on the delivery? " -Me: “Yep. The next step is unloading and staging once it arrives—I’ll text you when it’s here.”

Miles Carter

Perfect use. It brings clarity and ownership without a 10-minute meeting. Love it. Phrase three—Let me make sure I understand. A tension-smoother and leadership move all in one.

Imani Rhodes

Client: “I thought the lighting was included in the original quote . -”Me: “Let me make sure I understand—you’re saying you expected the uplighting to be part of the base price, right?”

Miles Carter

Perfect. You’re not arguing. You’re showing you’re listening—and that earns you major credibility. Let’s go softer but still strong—That’s a fair point. It diffuses arguments before they start.

Imani Rhodes

Coworker: “I think we’ve been overcomplicating the prep. -”Me: “That’s a fair point. Maybe we simplify the checklist and just start with the basics.”

Miles Carter

Respect plus action. You validated them, then added value. That’s next-level teamwork. How about, I’ll take care of it -shows ownership but you’ve gotta deliver.

Imani Rhodes

Manager: “We’ve got a mismatch on the new hire’s schedule. -”Me: “I’ll take care of it. I’ll confirm with HR and fix the calendar today.”

Miles Carter

Confidence plus commitment. But yeah, pro tip—say this only if you’re gonna follow through. Next - What I’m hearing is...

Imani Rhodes

Client: “I’m not mad, just frustrated that no one called ahead." -Me: “What I’m hearing is you were caught off guard and that matters to you. I get it—and I’ll own that.”

Miles Carter

That’s active listening and leadership. Empathy and accountability in one sentence. This one’s a pro delay button—I’ll confirm and get back to you.

Imani Rhodes

Coworker: “Do you know if we need permits for this?” -Me: “Not 100%—I’ll confirm and get back to you this afternoon.”

Miles Carter

That keeps your credibility intact and stops the spread of maybe-facts. -- next one: I see where you’re coming from is how you lower the heat without giving in.

Imani Rhodes

Field tech: “It feels like no one’s hearing our side. -”Me: “I see where you’re coming from. Let’s bring it up at the next check-in and make sure leadership hears it.”

Miles Carter

That phrase doesn’t fix everything—but it makes people feel seen. Can I offer another perspective?— how pros disagree.

Imani Rhodes

Coworker: “I think we just reschedule and skip it.” -Me: “Can I offer another perspective? What if we show up, walk it, and at least get photos so we’re ready?”

Miles Carter

Smooth. You didn’t say “you’re wrong”—you said “here’s another way.” That’s influence, not ego. And the last one—Let’s not guess—let’s ask.

Imani Rhodes

Team: “I think the client wants the patio facing south.” -Me: “Let’s not guess—let’s ask. I’ll call and double-check right now.”

Miles Carter

Gold. You just saved two hours. Okay, That’s ten phrases, ten power moves. Use even two of them this week, and people will start noticing. Clarity, calm, connection—that’s how pros communicate.

Imani Rhodes

I’ll say, for me, moving from speechwriter to corporate trainer was all about this. Writing every day taught me to be intentional with words. Leading with clarity is the same muscle—just a different workout. The more you practice, the more natural it gets. And people notice. They trust you more, they listen longer, and you get to lead without burning out or selling out.

Miles Carter

Couldn’t have said it better. So, if you’re listening, your challenge is simple: pick a phrase, use it, and see what happens. And if you’ve got a story or a favorite phrase, share it with us. We wanna hear how you’re building your own communication muscle.

Imani Rhodes

Alright, that’s it for chapter one. Remember—don’t just hear it. Say-it. Practice-it. That’s how you turn language into leadership.

Miles Carter

Thanks for listening, everyone. Go build some trust out there. See-you in-chapter-two.