A PowerPhrase A Week From SpeakStrong Inc

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This Week in the World
How to Say It Amazon Review Contest Offers Possible 10:1 ROI (Return on Investment)

Here’s your chance to read my latest book and possibly earn 10:1 on your book investment. My coauthor Janelle Brittain and I are offering a $100 prize to the person who orders How to Say It: Performance Reviews on Amazon and writes the review by April 1st that is judged to be the best.

Already have the book? No problem, we don’t plan to penalize anyone for being early. Go ahead and write the review anyway, and let us know how to contact you.

The best review will convey the benefits and applicability of the book in a way that would make readers want to buy it. It’s a great opportunity to practice your PowerPhrases.

The winning review will be determined by a combination of reader votes, Amazon ratings on “was this review helpful to you,” and the determination of a panel of judges of my choosing.

Join the fun and just maybe you will receive a $100 prize.

(Do you think you deserve a free review copy because you can get the book exposure in your blog or your company? Email me and tell me why, and I'll consider sending you one.)

Post a comment in our blog, here.

PowerPhrase of the Week
Please Let Me Tell You What I’m Afraid Of

Every time Samantha wanted to talk about her breast cancer, Carrie cut her off with positive, make-nice reassurances. Samantha stopped her by saying,

Please let me tell you what I’m afraid of.

Carrie stopped resisting and Samantha was able to have a much-needed conversation.

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Learn to ask for what you want clearly, kindly and directly, in PowerPhrases: The Perfect Words to Say it Right and Get the Results You Want

Poison Phrase of the Week
Settle Down

Mindy forwarded a customer request to the appropriate vendor. When she did not receive a response within ten days, she emailed him again telling him what action she would take if she did not receive a response by the end of the week. Her rep responded,

- Settle down. I will get it to you soon. I have been on the road. May be next Monday before I can get it to you.

His words “settle down” had the opposite effect. The Poison Phrase implied that she was overreacting, which she was not. Mindy responded by forwarding the communication to the rep’s manager to resolve.

Learn more about PoisonPhrases in How to Use PowerPhrases.

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Ask Meryl
Weight Comments

Meryl,

I am in my late fifties, overweight, and doing something about it, which is not anyone's business but mine unless I choose to share. Stairs are challenging to me; I often get out of breath, especially if I take them too fast, and sometimes my knees hurt. I usually avoid them when possible. This morning, in the interest of fitness, I decided to take the stairs up two floors instead of the elevator. There was no one on the staircase, and I was moving at a pace that was comfortable for me. It was leisurely but not excessively slow. I was not huffing and puffing, gasping, or showing any signs of difficulty or distress. I wasn't blocking the staircase either - I'm not that big.

I was actually feeling good about being able to climb stairs without too much discomfort or difficulty, when a woman coworker entered the staircase about half a flight below me. She said to me, jokingly, "Keep walking. Keep walking." I paused and said "Excuse me?" She repeated, "Keep walking. Keep walking." I replied "I was just thinking how nice it was to go at my own pace without being rushed." She replied "Don't worry. It will get better" - implying that I wanted to go faster but couldn't. While her words and tone were pleasant, and perhaps she only meant to be friendly, I felt patronized. I felt it was rude that she even made a comment. We are acquaintances, not good friends; she doesn't know me well enough to joke with me about my physical condition. How could I have responded to regain my dignity and let her know that I prefer to decide for myself how fast to walk?

Meryl Responds

I agree, she lacked tact. And I also agree she probably meant to be friendly and had no idea her words were not encouraging.

Personally I would think the most dignified response would be to let it go. Or you could have said,

I believe your intent is to encourage me, but I do need to tell you I feel very good about what I'm doing.

Hey, congrats for taking the stairs. Readers?

Comments

You don't have to put up with put downs. My book PowerPhrases lists numerous phrases to deal with side swipes, sarcasm and digs.

Got a question? Send it to us at SpeakStrong. We answer as many questions as we can personally. We may use your question in the newsletter anonymously unless we are asked not to. When we respond, please email us back to tell us you received the response and give us feedback.

Reader Success Story
Check with Me First

My husband copied me on a note he sent to a colleague inviting him to dinner. My reptilian response was: (add sarcasm) would you mind checking with me first before you offer to have people over for dinner?

My preference is that in the future you check with me before offering to have someone for dinner, and I will do the same for you. Does that sound ok?

I’m learning.

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Reader Comments on Previous Newsletters

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You're Broke, Aren't You?

Handling Interruptions

Unsolicited Advice

I Am Not My Hair Color

Issue 256
February 8, 2007

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