12 Speaking Habits To Be Taken Seriously - For Professionals and For Kids

For Professionals 1) Lead with the headline Recommendation: extend the deadline by three days . Decision: we’ll ship v1 Friday . ...

For Professionals

1) Lead with the headline

Recommendation: extend the deadline by three days.
Decision: we’ll ship v1 Friday.
Ask: approve the $12k budget.
Update: the risk is contained.
Bottom line: we should retain the vendor.

2) One idea per sentence

The pilot worked.
Customers want the checklist.
The API failed overnight.
We fixed the billing bug.
The team can deliver by Wednesday.

3) Pause for punctuation

We tested the patch, pause it passed QA. full stop
Sales is up 8%, pause costs are flat. full stop
The risk is low, pause we’ll monitor it. full stop
I reviewed the contract, pause two clauses changed. full stop
Let’s start with scope, pause then timeline. full stop

4) Finish with a downstep (end low)

The migration is complete.
We will hit the target.
Support volume has stabilized.
The plan is feasible.
The trade-off is acceptable.

5) Cut hedges & fillers

I recommend pausing signups today.
I’m confident we can recover by Monday.
We need two more engineers.
The data doesn’t support that claim.
Let’s move the launch to next week.

6) Strong verbs & numbers

This change will reduce churn 11%.
The fix cuts load time from 2.4s to 1.3s.
We saved $18,400 this quarter.
The pilot increased activation by 9 points.
The new flow eliminates 3 steps.

7) Signpost your structure

Three points: cost, risk, and timeline.
First, scope; second, resources; third, dates.
Two options: extend or descale.
Here’s the plan: prepare, test, launch.
In summary: we stay the course.

8) Frame before detail (What → Why → How)

What: move launch to Friday. Why: QA needs a day. How: freeze today.
What: keep the vendor. Why: best SLA. How: renew for 6 months.
What: add a guardrail. Why: prevent duplicates. How: server check.
What: increase budget. Why: scope grew. How: reallocate ops.
What: escalate outage. Why: impacts billing. How: on-call bridge.

9) Control pace & emphasis

We met the deadline. (steady pace)
The only blocker is legal. (slow on ONLY)
We need your approval today. (slight emphasis)
The impact is moderate, not severe.
Our priority is customer trust.

10) Articulate consonants

“Crisp stops cut static.”
“Ship fast, fix fast.”
“Direct plans beat vague plans.”
“Bold bets, brisk tests.”
“Facts first; feelings follow.”

11) Stand tall, breathe low (speak on the exhale)

(Inhale) On timeline: we are on track. (Exhale)
(Inhale) Budget: we’re within limits. (Exhale)
(Inhale) Risk: medium and declining. (Exhale)
(Inhale) Next step: finalize scope. (Exhale)
(Inhale) Ask: approve the plan. (Exhale)

12) Close with a clear ask

Please share the draft by Thursday, 5 PM.
Approve the $12k budget today, please.
Confirm the vendor by noon tomorrow.
Send the test results before stand-up.
Book the kickoff for Monday at 10 AM.

12 kid-friendly speaking habits

1) Say your point first

Plan: let’s play soccer at recess.
Ask: can I borrow your ruler?
Update: I finished my worksheet.
Idea: let’s trade cards after class.
Reminder: the project is due Friday.

2) One idea per sentence

I need a pencil.
You take the first turn.
I brought the snacks.
The answer is 36.
I can’t stay after school.

3) Pause for punctuation (tiny stop at commas; full stop at periods)

I studied the vocab, pause I still need verbs. stop
We lost the ball, pause we kept our defense. stop
The poster is done, pause the title needs color. stop
I called your name, pause you didn’t hear. stop
I’ll do math now, pause science after. stop

4) End statements with a low finish (sound confident)

Our team is ready.
The homework is done.
The score is tied.
The rule is clear.
That seat is taken.

5) Drop fillers (“um, like, kinda”) and speak cleanly

I think we should switch players.
I believe the answer is nine.
I prefer chess at lunch.
I need five more minutes.
I noticed the line moved.

6) Use strong verbs & numbers

I read 20 pages last night.
Let’s meet at 3:15 by the gate.
We scored two goals in the first half.
I finished three chores already.
This puzzle will take five minutes.

7) Signpost your points (first/second/third)

Two reasons: it’s fair, and it’s fast.
First the outline, second the pictures.
Three steps: pass, shoot, follow up.
Here’s my plan: practice, rest, play.
In summary: we keep the teams.

8) What → Why → How (frame before detail)

What: trade seats. Why: I can see the board. How: we’ll ask the teacher.
What: split the chores. Why: faster. How: timer for 10 minutes each.
What: study together. Why: quiz tomorrow. How: flashcards after dinner.
What: switch positions. Why: you’re faster. How: I’ll cover defense.
What: save dessert. Why: soccer practice. How: fridge till later.

9) Pace & volume (steady, not rushed; highlight key word)

The only page left is five.
I need help with number eight.
Our plan is simple.
The noise is too loud.
Let’s slow the game down.

10) Crisp consonants (clear endings)

“Best test, no guess.”
“Kick, pass, score.”
“Stop, start, sprint.”
“Big bricks, black blocks.”
“Clean clips, quick clicks.”

11) Stand tall, breathe low (talk on the exhale)

(Inhale) Report: my group is ready. (Exhale)
(Inhale) Update: we finished step one. (Exhale)
(Inhale) Plan: I’ll draw the title. (Exhale)
(Inhale) Game call: I’m open left! (Exhale)
(Inhale) Home: I took out the trash. (Exhale)

12) End with a clear ask

Please pass the blue marker next.
Can we play one more round after homework?
May I trade this card for two of yours?
Could you quiz me for five minutes?
Can I use the computer at 6 PM?