Five Linguistic Rules That Make Employees More Influential and Professional in the Workplace

Professional development expert Erin McGough emphasized that the way words are used within the workplace directly affects an employee's presence and network of relationships, noting that simple adjustments in language can transform routine discussions into opportunities to enhance trust and professional influence.

Linguistic Rules for Excellence

Open questions instead of closed ones: Transform dialogue into constructive discussions about processes and mechanisms, such as asking, "How does the team usually handle flexibility on Fridays?" instead of a closed question.
Apologizing versus appreciating: Over-apologizing diminishes professionalism, while expressing gratitude reflects higher confidence.
Replacing "but" with "and": Creates balance in the message and increases clarity of ideas.
Using "I noticed that" instead of "I feel that": Presents feedback based on facts rather than personal impressions.
Avoiding "why" in direct questions: Replace it with "how" or "what" to make the dialogue more collaborative and less confrontational.

Direct Impact on Professional Performance

McGough believes that these simple adjustments enhance the employee's image as a professional and confident party, increasing their chances of success within the organization, making mastering workplace language a key skill for employees aspiring to influence and professional growth.