@jefferson_fisher
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@jefferson_fisher Removing these words will make you sound a lot more assertive. From my pod episode with @emmagrede
Trending short videosList of words that weaken arguments
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- Outlier
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- Length · 19 Aug 2026
- 0:49
Video #39697 · Clip
List of words that weaken argumentsfrom @jefferson_fisher
[01]
Overview
The speaker provides three specific tips to sound more assertive in communication. He advises eliminating over-apologies, avoiding self-undercutting phrases, and removing filler adverbs like 'just' and 'so,' concluding with a direct comparison to illustrate the impact of these changes.
[02]
Simple outline
- 1State a common weakness
- 2List categories of mistakes
- 3Provide specific examples
- 4Show a direct comparison
[03]
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Classification
Format
Concepts
Elements
Account
[05]
Hook analysis
What stops the scroll in the first 3 seconds
Title hook · 65%
These words make your arguments weaker
Verbal hook · 30%
If you want to sound more assertive in any given situation, number one...
Visual hook · 5%
A medium close-up of a man in a professionally lit studio setting, speaking directly and engagingly to the camera.
[06]
Hook template
Steal this for your own video
These words are making your weaker
- — These 3 words are making your job applications weaker
- — These 5 words are making your sales pitch weaker
- — These 4 words are making your workout results weaker
[07]
Hook and payoff
The promise the opener makes, and how the video pays it back
Hook
A bold, negative-framed statement presented as on-screen text ('These words make your arguments weaker') that promises to solve a common but often unnoticed problem.
Payoff
The A/B Showdown: The video concludes with a direct, side-by-side comparison of a weak statement (using a filler word) versus a strong, assertive statement (without it), making the lesson tangible and immediately actionable for the viewer.
[08]
Narrative framework
The structural pattern this video runs on
Framework
The Elimination List Framework
To achieve a desirable trait (assertiveness), the speaker identifies and deconstructs three categories of common linguistic habits that undermine it, culminating in a direct before-and-after comparison.
- 1
The First Offense: Over-Apologies
Identifies the most common and relatable category of error. The speaker defines the mistake, provides a specific example, and explains the negative psychological impact it has on one's self-worth.
- 2
The Second Offense: Self-Undercutting
Introduces a more nuanced category of error that diminishes authority. The speaker provides multiple examples of qualifying phrases that signal a lack of confidence.
- 3
The Final Offense: Filler Adverbs
Pinpoints a very specific grammatical error, identifying common filler words that dilute the directness of a statement.
- 4
The Contextual Qualifier
Adds credibility by specifying the context where this advice is most critical (e.g., a professional meeting) versus where it is less important (e.g., casual conversation), preempting potential objections.
Themes
Techniques
Post caption
Removing these words will make you sound a lot more assertive. From my pod episode with @emmagrede
Text overlays
title · beginning
These words make your arguments weaker
branding · throughout
Jefferson.
Transcript
You wanna sound more assertive in any given situation, number one, we want to eliminate the over apologies. That's where you say I'm sorry and better other sentence. We say, hey. I I'm so sorry. Real quick. Whenever you eliminate the over apologies, it's that idea of your self worth is not tied to how little of an inconvenience you can be with someone. Second of all, if you wanna have more assertive voice is to stop undercutting your words as in, I hate to bother you, but or I could be wrong about this, or you probably know better than me. The last being the adverbs. We always say best, so, or literally. And then it's just me and you, no problem. Mhmm. If we're in just, casual conversation. But if you need to be assertive in a meeting, it's best not to lead with the actually so best. I mean, you can hear the difference of, hey. I I just wanted to check-in with you worse the I wanted to check-in with you.