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Now that we have learned how to turn perceived weaknesses into strength, and

how to soften negatives, let's focus on how to emphasize positive information.

Just as we used hedges to soften negative information,

we use other language devices called boosters to strengthen claims.

You can use these to emphasize positive information.

You probably already know some of these.

Jane Austen's use of the adverb certainly

in this line strengthens her claim about friendship.

The adverb unquestioningly here makes Mencken satire stronger and more pointed.

The same adverb used by Dwight Eisenhower makes his claim about integrity

all the stronger and more forceful.

You can use this language when you address a question about a perceived weakness.

Use a hedge to soften the negative, then a booster to emphasize the positive.

For example,

say you acknowledge that the clients you have experience working with are not those

that the organization you're interviewing with does most of their business with.

Here you frame the acknowledgement to start

where English generally puts unimportant information.

You then use but

as a turning point to contrast the negative with the positive in the second

part of the sentence, where English generally puts important information.

Then you conclude with the boosted claim demonstrating that you

actually have the positive experience to meet the organization's needs.

Let's see what John does with this approach.

>> In your opinion, what are the skills that you most need to develop?

>> For this position,

I think my skill set certainly compliments what you're looking to accomplish.

Without a doubt, my experience using data-driven management for large projects

can contribute to your goals of bringing innovative projects in on time and

within budget.

However, one skill that I can develop is my coaching ability.

I've settled into my role as supervisor for the team I now manage, and

as I've said, I've built good social capital with the older members as well.

But I'm still a little hesitant to offer coaching to someone older than me.

And this is still relatively new for me.

It's something I would like to get stronger at.

I'm aware of this though, and I've been working with other supervisors

who can give me advice from their experience.

Of course, I've gone out of my way to identify those who I see as

excellent coaches at my current company.

I'm learning that I don't need to have the approval of others, just their respect, so

that's driving a lot of my interaction.

I actually think it's making me a better manager.

It's certainly been helpful for me to learn.

My natural curiosity, and

desire to be a high performer, are a couple of strengths that I have,

that I can use to supplement areas where I might be lacking specific skills.

>> Notice what John did to hedge the negatives and

boost the positives >> He identifies

more strength than weaknesses.

He demonstrates self-assessment skills and the confidence to admit a weakness.

And he states a clear plan of action

that he's taken to further develop his competency.

Instead of running from the uncomfortable feeling of uncertainty encroaching

a more experienced member of his team, John faces the situation directly.

He doesn't focus on his lack of experience.

He takes a limitation, and turns it into an opportunity.

John shifts the attention to his own awareness.

He already has thought about ways of improving his skills.

With this, he demonstrates that he acknowledges that

this skill is important for the company and position.

Then he summarizes his answer with a strong sentence, yet

again emphasizing his strength, and reiterating how his

personal value system will help him develop further in a new position.

So regardless of the question,

focus your attention on what you can do, not on what you cannot do.

This simple shift of mindset turns you from a victim to a victor.

From no, I can't do it because, to yes, I could do it if.

Too many people get stuck in no, because.

You want to move forward with yes, if.

That's an attitude an employer wants to see.

>> [MUSIC]

Emphasizing Positive Information

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