Short single-speaker YouTube advice clip by Raele Altano offering five alternative sentence starters to replace self-deprecating intros (e.g., "this might be a dumb question"). Notes that women are four times more likely to use hedges; recommends more direct or collaborative phrasing to build trust and avoid apologizing for occupying conversational space. Encourages viewers to try the alternatives and report back.
Chapters
Here are five ways to start a sentence and convey your point without the self deprecating intro. You know the ones that go I may not be the best person to speak on this or this might be a dumb question. Which by the way, women are four times more likely to use when starting their sentences, so no more. Let's change that. I'm curious about something. Here's what I think we should do. I'd love to offer a suggestion here. Something that comes to mind is from my experience, the self deprecating intros are basically apologies in disguise for taking up space in the conversation. There is no need to diminish what you have to say. Either come out with it directly or introduce it in a confident, collaborative way. Also, this is going to instill a subconscious level of trust within your listener. When you preface something with confidence and certainty and without apologies, there is more trust established there than if you were to say this might be a dumb question, but so if this sounds like you, don't beat yourself up about it, but try something new tomorrow. Try one of these alternatives. Let me know how it goes.
