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The power of right words

How One Man’s Communication Skills Turned Strangers into Admirers and Doubters into Believers

By Danyal HashmiPublished 5 months ago 5 min read
The power of right words
Photo by Herlambang Tinasih Gusti on Unsplash



It was a rainy Tuesday morning when Adeel Khan stepped into the conference room for his first day at his new marketing job. The floor-to-ceiling glass walls reflected not only the city skyline but also the nervousness in his eyes. He wasn’t sure if he could make a strong impression on his colleagues.

After all, he wasn’t the tallest man in the room, nor was he wearing the most expensive suit. But Adeel had something many overlooked — a quiet belief in the power of language.

From his teenage years, Adeel had noticed that some people could command a room without shouting or boasting. They used words like a painter uses colors — carefully, purposefully, and with an eye for the bigger picture. He made it his mission to learn this art, not by memorizing fancy vocabulary, but by understanding how to speak in a way that people truly listen.

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Chapter 1: The First Impression

Adeel had learned that the first words you say to someone are like the opening scene of a movie. If it grabs attention, the audience will stay. If not, they mentally walk away.

That day, when his manager introduced him to the team, he didn’t just say, “Hi, I’m Adeel. Nice to meet you all.”

Instead, with a warm smile, he said:

> “Hi everyone. I’ve heard so much about this team’s creativity and results — I’m excited to learn and contribute.”

It was simple, but it instantly communicated three things:

1. Respect for the team.

2. Enthusiasm for the work.

3. Openness to learning and collaborating.

Within minutes, he saw people’s expressions change — they leaned in slightly, nodded, and smiled back. His words had made them feel valued, and people always remember how you make them feel.

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Chapter 2: Listening — The Secret Weapon

Most people think great communicators talk a lot. Adeel knew the opposite was true. The best communicators listen more than they speak.

During his first week, instead of trying to dominate conversations to prove himself, Adeel asked thoughtful questions:

“What’s the biggest challenge our team is working on right now?”

“How do you think we can make this campaign even better?”

“I noticed you handled that client call really well — how did you approach it?”

When people answered, he didn’t interrupt. He nodded, kept eye contact, and repeated back key points to show he understood. This made colleagues feel heard, respected, and appreciated — three feelings that instantly build trust.

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Chapter 3: Choosing Words That Paint Pictures

One Friday, Adeel was asked to present a concept for a new advertising campaign. Many employees used numbers and technical terms that made their pitches sound like reports.

Adeel took a different approach. He knew people remember stories, not statistics.

Instead of saying:

> “Our target audience is primarily women aged 25-35 who shop online.”

He said:

> “Imagine Sara, a 29-year-old graphic designer scrolling through her phone after a long day. She’s looking for something that feels made for her. That’s where our product appears — not as another ad, but as a friend suggesting exactly what she needs.”

The room became quiet. People could see Sara in their minds. They weren’t just hearing about a marketing campaign — they were experiencing it.

That day, Adeel got the green light for his idea.

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Chapter 4: The Magic of Tone and Body Language

Words matter, but how you say them matters just as much.

Adeel practiced speaking in a warm, steady tone, never too fast or too slow. He kept his shoulders relaxed, maintained open body language, and smiled genuinely when appropriate.

In meetings, he slightly leaned forward when others spoke, showing interest. When he disagreed, he didn’t frown or raise his voice; instead, he’d say:

> “I see your point. What if we looked at it from another angle?”

This calm, respectful approach made even disagreements feel like teamwork.

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Chapter 5: Making Others Feel Important

Adeel had read somewhere: “You can make more friends in two months by being interested in other people than in two years by trying to make them interested in you.”

So he practiced remembering small details about his colleagues — their kids’ names, their hobbies, their upcoming vacations.

When he saw Omar from the finance team, he’d say:

> “How was your daughter’s school play?”

Or to Sana from design:

> “I remember you mentioned hiking last weekend — did you find that hidden waterfall?”

These weren’t just pleasantries; they were proof that he paid attention. And when people feel seen, they feel connected.

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Chapter 6: The Ripple Effect

Over the months, something remarkable happened.

The quiet new guy became the person everyone wanted on their projects. Clients loved his presentations because they felt personal. Teammates trusted him because he listened and respected their ideas. Even his manager began asking him to train others on communication skills.

It wasn’t magic. It wasn’t manipulation. It was the consistent application of genuine, thoughtful communication:

Speak with warmth.

Listen like you care — because you do.

Choose words that create images and emotions.

Use tone and body language to match your message.

Remember and mention the small things that matter to people.

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Chapter 7: A Conversation That Changed Everything

One day, during a networking event, Adeel met a senior executive from another company. Instead of trying to impress him with credentials, Adeel asked:

> “What inspired you to get into this industry?”

The executive’s eyes lit up, and he shared his journey. Adeel listened intently, asked follow-up questions, and responded with genuine admiration.

A week later, that executive called Adeel’s manager with a proposal for a major collaboration — and specifically requested Adeel as the project lead.

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Conclusion: The Lasting Impression

By the end of his first year, Adeel wasn’t just seen as “good at his job” — he was known as someone people enjoyed working with, learning from, and being around.

His success wasn’t because he was the loudest, most charming, or most dramatic speaker. It was because he understood this truth:

People are drawn to those who make them feel heard, valued, and inspired — and language is the bridge that makes it happen.

If you want to attract and impress people, don’t focus on showing off. Focus on connecting. Learn the art of listening deeply, speaking with purpose, and making others feel important. In the end, the right words, spoken with sincerity, can open doors you never knew existed.



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