The Confident Creator - Phrases That Save You

Every communicator needs a few go-to phrases for those moments when all eyes suddenly turn to you.

Here are some that have saved me in the past:

1. When you don’t have the answer yet:

“That’s a great question. I don’t want to guess, so let me confirm the details and follow up after this meeting.”

2. When someone makes an assumption that isn’t accurate:

“I can see how it might look that way. Here’s what actually happened behind the scenes…”

3. When you need to push back on timing:

“If we move that fast, we risk sharing incomplete information. If we wait until X time, we can answer the most likely questions upfront.”

4. When feedback stings but has a valid point:

“I appreciate you sharing that. Here’s what I was aiming for and here’s what I’ll adjust next time.”

5. When someone wants you to overstep your role:

“That decision is ultimately yours to make. From a communication perspective, here’s what I’d recommend.”

These phrases do three things:

- Buy you time without looking unprepared

- Protect your professionalism

- Signal that you’re thoughtful and measured, not reactive

You don’t have to have every word ready on the spot. You just need a few strong anchors you can always return to.