In a vibrant Mumbai tech startup, Ruma, a bright mid-level manager, brimmed with innovative ideas but struggled to make her voice heard. Her habit of starting suggestions with “This is just a thought…” or “Maybe it’s not important, but…” often led to her ideas being overlooked in favor of bolder voices. Through a transformative women’s leadership mentoring program, Ruma learned to swap minimizers for confident phrases like “I recommend” or “Here’s a strategic solution.” Her newfound assertiveness captivated her team, earning her a promotion and inspiring others. Ruma’s story is a beacon of hope, showing how women can harness confident communication to break glass ceilings, foster diversity and inclusion, and thrive in inclusive workplaces. This blog celebrates the power of women’s voices, explores the impact of verbal minimizers and discounters, addresses cultural influences (especially in India), and highlights how mentoring can empower women’s leadership.
The Hidden Impact of Verbal Minimisers and Discounters
Minimisers and Discounters: What Are They and Why Do They Matter?
Minimisers are words that make something appear less significant: “just a thought,” “a small idea,” “a quick question.” Discounters are phrases that suggest the speaker’s idea or presence is not valuable: *”I might be wrong but…”, “This is probably irrelevant, but…”
When used repeatedly, these expressions send a subtle message: “Don’t take me too seriously.”
Here’s how it typically plays out:
- A male colleague says, “We should look at restructuring this team.”
- A female colleague might say, “I was just wondering if maybe we could think about possibly restructuring the team a little bit…”
The same idea, vastly different impact.
In high-stakes environments, confidence and clarity matter. When women use minimising language, it diminishes their perceived expertise and leadership potential, especially in male-dominated settings.
Women often sprinkle their workplace speech with minimisers like “just,” “little,” “tiny,” “small,” or “quick” and discounters such as “Maybe this isn’t important…” or “I’m not sure, but….” These phrases, frequently placed at the start of statements, soften communication to align with societal expectations of politeness and approachability. For example, saying “I just have a small idea” might feel collaborative, but it can signal hesitation, subtly undermining the speaker’s authority. A 2024 study on workplace dynamics found that women use these linguistic hedges more often than men, reflecting cultural pressures to prioritize nurturing over assertiveness. This can hinder women’s leadership, as ideas prefaced with “This might be silly…” are often dismissed, reinforcing barriers like the glass ceiling—a systemic obstacle limiting women’s advancement.
By embracing confident language, women can amplify their impact and foster inclusive workplaces. Replacing “just” with “I propose” or “I’m not an expert, but…” with “Based on my analysis…” projects expertise and invites respect. Women’s leadership mentoring programs are pivotal, offering tools to refine communication, boost confidence, and champion diversity and inclusion. These initiatives create environments where women’s voices drive innovation, ensuring every contribution is valued.
Certainty vs. Arrogance: Rewriting the Narrative
Expressing certainty can be a delicate balance for women in leadership. While confidence is a hallmark of effective leadership, women who speak decisively often face misjudgments of arrogance due to second-generation gender bias. According to a 2024 Harvard Business Review study, assertive women are scrutinized more harshly than men, creating pressure to soften their language with minimisers to maintain likability. For instance, a woman saying “This strategy will transform our outcomes” might be seen as overconfident, while a man’s similar statement is praised as decisive. This double standard challenges women to navigate a fine line between competence and approachability.
Mentoring for women’s leadership offers a solution, guiding women to blend conviction with collaboration. Phrases like “I’m confident this plan will succeed, and I’d value your insights” convey certainty while fostering inclusivity. By reframing language, women can assert their expertise without fear of backlash, creating inclusive workplaces where diverse communication styles are celebrated. Diversity and inclusion training further supports this shift, encouraging organizations to value women’s contributions equally.
Cultural Influences: The Indian Perspective
Cultural norms significantly shape women’s workplace language, particularly in collectivist societies like India, where humility and group harmony are deeply valued. Indian women often use discounters like “I’m no expert, but…” or “This is just a suggestion…” to align with expectations of modesty, especially in hierarchical or male-dominated settings. The Global Gender Gap Report 2024 notes that only 10% of Indian firms have women in top leadership roles, highlighting the persistent glass ceiling fueled by these dynamics. Yet, India’s evolving corporate landscape, driven by diversity and inclusion initiatives, is empowering women to speak with authority while honoring cultural values.
Women’s leadership mentoring programs in India emphasize balancing confidence with empathy, enabling women to navigate cultural expectations without compromising impact. For example, a manager might say, “I believe this approach will drive growth, and I’d love to collaborate on refining it,” blending assertiveness with inclusivity. Such strategies resonate in Indian workplaces, where fostering relationships is key. Organizations like Infosys, with robust diversity and inclusion policies, demonstrate how inclusive workplaces amplify women’s voices, paving the way for leadership success.
Indian Women Leaders Lighting the Way
Indian women are breaking barriers and redefining leadership with confident communication. Notable trailblazers include:
- Indra Nooyi
- Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
- Manisha Lath Gupta
- Chanda Kochhar
- Arundhati Bhattacharya
These leaders inspire countless women to embrace their voices, proving that certainty, when paired with authenticity, can shatter glass ceilings and drive transformative change.
Practical Steps to Amplify Your Voice
Women can unlock their leadership potential through actionable strategies:
- Reframe Your Language: Swap minimisers like “just” for powerful phrases like “I recommend” or “My analysis suggests.” Practice in low-stakes settings to build confidence.
- Seek Women’s Leadership Mentoring: Join programs that offer personalized guidance to refine communication and navigate biases, fostering diversity and inclusion.
- Advocate for Inclusive Workplaces: Encourage organizations to adopt policies that value diverse voices, as seen in companies like Tata Group, where 32% of leadership roles are held by women.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Each confident statement builds momentum, creating ripple effects in your career and inspiring others.
Mentoring is a game-changer, providing a supportive space to practice assertive communication and overcome cultural or gender-based barriers. By embracing these tools, women can lead with authenticity, fostering inclusive workplaces where every voice shines.
A Bright Future for Women’s Leadership
Ruma’s transformation and the success of countless Indian women leaders show that confident communication can dismantle barriers and unlock limitless potential. By shedding minimisers, embracing mentoring, and championing diversity and inclusion, women can redefine leadership on their terms. The journey to breaking glass ceilings starts with a single, confident word—spoken with pride, purpose, and power.
Conclusion: Reclaim Your Voice
Language is not just a tool—it’s a mirror. The words we use reflect how we see ourselves and how we want others to see us. Let’s stop using language that shrinks us. Let’s speak with clarity, strength, and conviction
Ready to unleash your leadership potential? Join Aarohi, a transformative women’s leadership program by Curious Catalyst, designed to empower women with confident communication and strategic skills. Contact us today at 8898061280 or email info@curiouscatalyst.in to start your journey toward breaking glass ceilings and leading with impact!