Power words
I have always been fascinated with communication techniques. I wished that I had been on a debating teem in college or at least studied the English language in greater detail. I know I would be a better writer and have a clearer understanding of communication skills. However, I try to pay attention in life, and my blogs are about sharing what I have noticed. And one thing I have noticed over the years are the subtle ways that an experienced speaker can get your attention, distort logic, or pull you into their point of view.
There are obvious power words that immediately get your attention. Have you ever noticed how good it feels when you say something to somebody and they reply with the word, "Absolutely!" That is a power word that gives instant confirmation to what you just said. When you watch CNN or Fox TV, notice whenever there is a debate of any kind, how often a speaker will start a sentence with the word "Look" or "Listen".These words are used to get your attention and/or to change direction of where the conversation was heading. If person "A" is making too much sense on a point that person "B" disagrees with or if "B" feels he is loosing the debate, person "B" will say something like, "Look, (and there's always a small pause after this word....this gives you a moment to readjust your attention) we can debate the reasons for going into Iraq all day but what we should be talking about are solutions for getting out of Iraq." Now he has shifted your attention from the point he was loosing on to a new subject of his choosing.
Besides power words, there are power phrases as well as subtle body language that one will engage to enhance their point. Some good power phrases are, "and you know I'm right about this", "you don't get it", "I know what I'm talking about", "I don't think so", and "Is that so?" When I think of body language, I always think of Bill Clinton shaking his finger at the camera and squinting one eye as he said, "I did not have sex with that women." He must have been telling the truth because he shook his finger which says, "shame on you for doubting me." Maybe he was poking his finger which would have said, "You'd better believe me because I'm angry that I even have to say this." The squinting of his eye said, "I am focusing my message to you because I am serious and I want you to get that I am being honest."
The point I am trying to make with all of this is....it seems to me that the more honest people are when they are speaking, the less power words, phrases, and body language they seem to use. When they are lying or spinning the truth, you start to hear more power words, phrases, and excessive body language. It goes back to something Andy Rooney once said...."How come the more wrong somebody is, the louder they talk?" Check it out the next time you are watching a confrontation on Fox or CNN, it's interesting.