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Success Advice

How the Use of Certain Words Can Determine Your Business Success

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Words are very compelling. I recently saw an advertising campaign for a makeup company which used only words. You would think that a company that sells makeup would add pictures of beautiful faces, lipsticks and eye-shadows to their billboards. Not at all. Their campaign used a combination of words which intended to get a strong reaction from the reader.

I was one of the readers, and I can genuinely say that I will remember those words for many years to come, and of course, the name of the makeup company. Some of the words used were these: “They say you are too much, maybe they are not enough.”

Women are often judged for being too soft, vulnerable, extra, and indeed too much. Reading this sentence is very powerful because it almost permits them to be what people have been telling them not to be. Those words give hope and pride.

The right words can indeed determine the success or failure of a marketing campaign and any piece of content you may use for your advertising online and offline.

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” – Mother Teresa

Let me give you some examples of powerful words and concepts to use to make your content well received by your audience.

First of all, you must use many positive words. Many entrepreneurs focus on the pain points of their clients too much. You must balance the negative or pain point with an optimistic scenario of what life and business could look like for your ideal client. Remember, people buy when they feel good or to feel good, so you must show them all the positive possibilities they could achieve when purchasing your products and services.

Avoid using words like “struggle” or “pain” as they are overused. You could replace the word “struggle” with “challenge” because it’s a more positive and encouraging word.

As odd as it may sound try to avoid the word “buy” when you want to invite your reader to buy from you. Make them see that your products and services are not just another purchase but an actual investment from which they will benefit in the long term. Replace the word “buy” with “invest.’

When you invite people to buy from you, be firm and assertive, avoid using words like “if” or “please.” Use words that show you strongly believe in what you are selling and that give a direct invite to the reader, such as “are you ready?” or “ It is time to…”

Use the word “you” more often than the word “I” to make sure the focus is on your reader more than yourself. Using the word “you” creates a sense of presence in your reader, like a tick the teacher makes while reading the classroom register. Your readers will feel that you are talking to them, which will help them be more involved and pay more attention. 

Do not use the word “should” too much. If you must use it, please do so, but only if necessary. Replace “should” with more gentle words which do not sound like a command, such as “ It is vital/paramount that you do x,y, z.” This sounds more like a piece of friendly advice than a bossy command.

I often see entrepreneurs using “fear of missing out” words too much combined with the idea that if they do not buy their products and services, they will not succeed or move forward. Using this type of language can sound desperate and does not give the reader the idea they are in control of the decision.

“No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.” – Robin Williams

For instance, saying “if you do not invest now, you will… (negative consequences) is not a genuine way to persuade your audience to buy from you. Instead you can use the fear of missing out focused at positive consequences, and you may add a bit of humour to bring some lightness. Let me give you an example…” This is your last chance to invest in x,y, z, and create the business you desire.”

Finally, make sure to use words of motivation and encouragement. Make the reader see and feel that they can do whatever it is you’re asking so they can create the changes they desire and dream of making. You could use words such as “you were born to do it” or “you are capable of creating this” to give you some ideas. I call this type of encouragement the “chest building” words. Imagine how proud and confident someone can feel when listening to motivating words of praise. Their chest starts to lift, their head is high, and their look is more empowered and fiercer. Precisely the kind of feeling you want your reader to experience while reading your content.

In the end, always write with the highest intention, knowing that your words are ready to change someone’s life for the better.

How do you use certain words in your life to get what you’re looking for? Share your stories & advice with readers below!

Debora Luzi is a passionate writer, a mother and an entrepreneur. Debora teaches other entrepreneurs how to write powerful and authentic content that connects, converts and impacts millions. She is the founder of The Writing Academy  for Entrepreneurs, the only global online community focused at content creation. Debora is also the founder of the Women Who dare to Desire Global conference.

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Success Advice

Why One-Size-Fits-All Leadership Will Always Fail (and What Works Instead)

The surprising truth about leadership styles that can make or break your team’s success.

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Why one-size-fits-all leadership doesn’t work
Image Credit: Midjourney

Leadership has always been as much about people as it is about performance. Ken Blanchard, in his influential book, “The One Minute Manager”, put it simply: different strokes for different folks. (more…)

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Success Advice

What Every New CEO Must Do in Their First 100 Days (or Risk Failure)

Your first 100 days as CEO could define your entire legacy, here’s how to make every move count

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leadership tips for new CEO
Image Credit: Midjourney

When Tim Cook took over from Steve Jobs at Apple, the world watched with bated breath. Jobs wasn’t just a CEO; he was a visionary, an icon, and a legend of innovative leadership. (more…)

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Entrepreneurs

The Leadership Shift Every Company Needs in 2025

Struggling to keep your team engaged? Here’s how leaders can turn frustrated employees into loyal advocates.

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Bridging the gap between employees and employers
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In workplaces around the world, there’s a growing gap between employers and employees and between superiors and their teams. It’s a common refrain: “People don’t leave companies, they leave bad bosses.”

While there are, of course, cases where management could do better, this isn’t just a “bad boss” problem. The relationship between leaders and employees is complex. Instead of assigning blame, we should explore practical solutions to build stronger, healthier workplaces where everyone thrives.

Why This Gap Exists

Every workplace needs someone to guide, supervise, and provide feedback. That’s essential for productivity and performance. But because there are usually far more employees than managers, dissatisfaction, fair or not, spreads quickly.

What if, instead of focusing on blame, we focused on building trust, empathy, and communication? This is where modern leadership and human-centered management can make a difference.

Tools and Techniques to Bridge the Gap

Here are proven strategies leaders and employees can use to foster stronger relationships and create a workplace where people actually want to stay.

1. Practice Mutual Empathy

Both managers and employees need to recognize they are ultimately on the same team. Leaders have to balance people and performance, and often face intense pressure to hit targets. Employees who understand this reality are more likely to cooperate and problem-solve collaboratively.

2. Maintain Professional Boundaries

Superiors should separate personal issues from professional decision-making. Consistency, fairness, and integrity build trust, and trust is the foundation of a motivated team.

3. Follow the Golden Rule

Treat people how you would like to be treated. This simple principle encourages compassion and respect, two qualities every effective leader must demonstrate.

4. Avoid Micromanagement

Micromanaging stifles creativity and damages morale. Great leaders see themselves as partners, not just bosses, and treat their teams as collaborators working toward a shared goal.

5. Empower Employees to Grow

Empowerment means giving employees responsibility that matches their capacity, and then trusting them to deliver. Encourage them to take calculated risks, learn from mistakes, and problem-solve independently. If something goes wrong, turn it into a learning opportunity, not a reprimand.

6. Communicate in All Directions

Communication shouldn’t just be top-down. Invite feedback, create open channels for suggestions, and genuinely listen to what your people have to say. Healthy upward communication closes gaps before they become conflicts.

7. Overcome Insecurities

Many leaders secretly fear being outshone by younger, more tech-savvy employees. Instead of resisting, embrace the chance to learn from them. Humility earns respect and helps the team innovate faster.

8. Invest in Coaching and Mentorship

True leaders grow other leaders. Provide mentorship, career guidance, and stretch opportunities so employees can develop new skills. Leadership is learned through experience, but guided experience is even more powerful.

9. Eliminate Favoritism

Avoid cliques and office politics. Decisions should be based on facts and fairness, not gossip. Objective, transparent decision-making builds credibility.

10. Recognize Efforts Promptly

Recognition often matters more than rewards. Publicly appreciate employees’ contributions and do so consistently and fairly. A timely “thank you” can be more motivating than a quarterly bonus.

11. Conduct Thoughtful Exit Interviews

When employees leave, treat it as an opportunity to learn. Keep interviews confidential and use the insights to improve management practices and culture.

12. Provide Leadership Development

Train managers to lead, not just supervise. Leadership development programs help shift mindsets from “command and control” to “coach and empower.” This transformation has a direct impact on morale and retention.

13. Adopt Soft Leadership Principles

Today’s workforce, largely millennials and Gen Z, value collaboration over hierarchy. Soft leadership focuses on partnership, mutual respect, and shared purpose, rather than rigid top-down control.

The Bigger Picture: HR’s Role

Mercer’s global research highlights five key priorities for organizations:

  • Build diverse talent pipelines

  • Embrace flexible work models

  • Design compelling career paths

  • Simplify HR processes

  • Redefine the value HR brings

The challenge? Employers and employees often view these priorities differently. Bridging that perception gap is just as important as bridging the relational gap between leaders and staff.

Treat Employees Like Associates, Not Just Staff

When you treat employees like partners, they bring their best selves to work. HR leaders must develop strategies to keep talent engaged, empowered, and prepared for the future.

Organizational success starts with people, always. Build the relationship with your team first, and the results will follow.

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Entrepreneurs

What Makes an Entrepreneurial Leader? Traits of the World’s Best Innovators

Inside the mindset of entrepreneurial leaders who transform risk, passion, and vision into world-changing results.

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entrepreneurial leadership skills and traits
Image Credit: Midjourney

When you think of Richard Branson (Virgin Group), Bill Gates (Microsoft), Steve Jobs (Apple), Rupert Murdoch (News Corporation), and Ted Turner (CNN), one thing becomes clear: they are not just entrepreneurs, they are entrepreneurial leaders. (more…)

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