10 Bad Communication Habits That Undermine Your CREDIBILITY (ep. 187)

Bad habits in your communication, like apologetic language, upspeak, and jargon overload, can undermine your credibility. Dr. Andrea Wojnicki shares fixes for 10 bad habits so you can start communicating with confidence and credibility. 

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TRANSCRIPT

Do You Have Bad Communication Habits?

Let’s be honest—we all do. Yes, even communication coaches like me. I’m not talking about quirks my teenage kids tease me about. I mean legitimate habits that undermine how we show up—especially as leaders.

Recently, I caught myself overusing the word “right?” at the end of sentences. It was like I needed agreement from you, the listener. Once or twice per episode? Fine. But it got repetitive—and annoying. So I stopped. I also caught myself saying “you guys” instead of something more inclusive like “everyone.” Not great.

The Perks of Hosting a Podcast

One benefit of podcasting (and YouTube)? You get to review your own communication patterns. And let me tell you—it’s eye-opening.

So, what are your bad communication habits?

Bad communication habits can be distracting, annoying, and worst of all—they erode your credibility. That’s a big deal, especially if you’re an ambitious professional or executive (which I bet you are, since you’re here!).

Episode 187: 10 Bad Communication Habits That Undermine Your Credibility (and What to Do Instead)

Welcome to Talk About Talk. I’m Dr. Andrea Wojnicki—please, call me Andrea. I coach executives to communicate with confidence and credibility. At TalkAboutTalk.com, you’ll find info on 1:1 coaching, corporate workshops, a free communication skills newsletter, and more.

Ready to level up your communication?

Let’s dive in.

Download the Free Checklist

Follow along with this episode using the free downloadable checklist at talkabouttalk.com/badhabits. It lists all ten habits and what to do instead. Great for self-evaluation or as a conversation starter with colleagues or your boss.

Bad Habit No. 1: Weak, Apologetic Language
Phrases like “This might be a dumb idea…” or “Sorry, can I just…” diminish your authority before you’ve even started.

Fix:

• Cut qualifiers like “maybe” or “I think.”
• Replace “sorry” (unless warranted) with confident framing like, “Here’s an idea to consider.”
• Use silence instead of hedging.

Try reviewing transcripts of your meetings and searching for “sorry,” “just,” and “maybe.”

Bad Habit No. 2: Upspeak
That rising tone at the end of a sentence? It turns statements into questions and signals a lack of confidence.

Fix:

• Practice “landing” your sentences.
• Use tools like a post-it with a question mark and an X through it.
• Deliver statements with conviction—no upward lilt.

Bad Habit No. 3: Rambling (a.k.a. “Epic Storytelling”)
Rambling dilutes your message and frustrates your audience. Senior leaders especially need to speak with precision.

Fix:

• Start with a clear headline: “Here’s what I recommend.”
• Use structure: “Let me give you three reasons why…”
• Pause intentionally