Get Yourself A Conviction

Inside, you are filled with faith and belief about your idea.  You know it to be right for you, your people and the business.

Except, you can’t hear the words that come out of you mouth and those words don’t convey much conviction at all.

If I don’t feel your conviction, as sure as eggs are eggs I’m not going to get behind it or you. Shame.

And… the only thing you got wrong was to say ‘I think’.

Sentences that fall out of your mouth, that are supposed to articulate your conviction, but that start with ‘I think’ sound wishy washy, frail, unsure.

1. I think it will be a good idea to change direction.

1. I think we need to make this decision.

What conveys the language of conviction is dropping ‘I think’.

2. I absolutely believe this is where we need to be.

2. This is what we need to decide, right now.

Take your pick – who’s communicating conviction 1 or 2? Who are you likely to want to follow and have confidence in?

Anything but ‘I think’.

Conviction by its nature should come from the heart not the head – that’s why we ‘put our heart and soul’ into things we believe in.

Sounds trivial right? Listen to your self speak an idea  in the manner of 1 or 2 above and feel the difference.

The funny thing is, speaking the language of conviction actually makes us feel more convinced ourselves.