“Maybe” is a word I don’t like to hear, because by definition, it’s ‘conditional’ in nature.
“Maybe you’ve done this…” also carries the flip side (in the listener’s head) of “No, I haven’t.” Click. Disengage.
“IF” is the magic word. It activates the imagination, and doesn’t leave room for the doubting side of the coin.
Example:
“Maybe you’re seven feet tall…” only talks to people who ARE that height.
But “If you were seven feet tall…” opens up the mental possibility – and the ‘buy-in’ factor, as a result.
There’s also the inclusive: “We’ve all done this…” or “We’ve all seen this…” (But it has to be true. It can’t be “We’ve all skinned a buffalo with a butter knife…”)
Anyway, now you’ve got a couple of new arrows in your quiver to help make you sound more CERTAIN – and dynamic – on the air in a very subtle way.
