Personalize

A powerful way to build connection when speaking is to use personal pronouns.

At every reasonable opportunity, refer to yourself as “I” and “me,” refer to your audience as “you,” and groups you belong as “we” and “us.”

Personal pronouns build rapport by underlining the personal nature of what you’re saying.

Impersonal language: It has been argued that the only way to ensure a safe return to the office is to require all personnel to be vaccinated because using the honor system of weekly COVID testing would not be adhered to.

Personal language: Jaoquin told me that management is going to require we all get vaccinated before returning to the office because they don’t think we would all get tested weekly.