8 subtle phrases high-level communicators use in everyday conversation

Some people just have a way with words.

They make you feel heard, respected, and even inspired, all without trying too hard.

It’s not because they were born with it. It’s because they’ve learned how to communicate with clarity, empathy, and intention.

Over the years, I’ve noticed certain phrases pop up again and again in conversations with high-level communicators.

These are the people who glide through discussions that others find awkward or tense.

Their language works quietly in the background, creating ease and understanding.

Let’s explore eight of those phrases and why they matter.

1) “Help me understand…”

This phrase is pure gold.

It does the opposite of what most of us do when we feel challenged. Instead of putting someone on the defensive, it invites them in.

When you say, “Help me understand why you feel that way,” or “Help me understand what led to that decision,” you’re signaling openness instead of judgment.

It creates space for dialogue instead of debate.

I first noticed this phrase during a meeting with a former editor of mine.

We disagreed strongly about an article’s direction. Instead of shutting me down, he leaned back and said, “Help me understand your thinking here.”

The tension immediately dissolved. It was no longer about who was right. It became about solving a problem together.

That’s the power of language that invites rather than attacks.

2) “That’s a fair point”

Four simple words that can change the tone of a conversation.

When you use this phrase, you show that you’re not just waiting for your turn to talk. You’re genuinely listening.

And not the kind of listening where you nod while preparing your counterargument. Real listening.

By acknowledging the validity in someone else’s viewpoint, you open the door for them to do the same for you.

I’ve mentioned this before, but active acknowledgment like this is one of the most underrated tools we have. It’s not about agreeing. It’s about validating.

Try it the next time you’re in a disagreement. Watch how it softens the exchange and builds mutual respect.

3) “What I’m hearing is…”

This one’s a favorite of therapists and negotiators.

It shows that you’re not just reacting, but truly processing what’s being said.

Phrases like “What I’m hearing is that this deadline feels too tight for your team,” or “What I’m hearing is that you’d like more clarity before moving forward,” do two powerful things.

They clarify and they calm.

Misunderstandings don’t happen because people fail to talk. They happen because we assume understanding without checking.

Repeating back someone’s message in your own words gives them the chance to confirm or correct. It’s communication with a built-in feedback loop.

High-level communicators do this naturally. They make sure everyone’s on the same page before moving on.

4) “You might be right”

Most of us hate being wrong.

But you can’t connect meaningfully with people if your ego is running the conversation.

Saying “You might be right” doesn’t mean you’re backing down. It means you’re leaving space for possibility.

It shows humility and curiosity, two things that instantly elevate the quality of a discussion.

I once heard this from a friend during a heated debate about nutrition trends. I was convinced I was right.

But when he said, “You might be right,” my defenses dropped. Suddenly, we were having a real conversation, not a competition.

That’s what this phrase does. It transforms arguments into explorations.

5) “Can I share a thought?”

There’s a fine line between being confident and being overbearing.

This phrase walks that line beautifully.

When you ask, “Can I share a thought?” you’re showing respect for someone else’s space before adding your own. You’re not barging into the discussion. You’re knocking first.

It’s subtle, but it changes how your input is received.

When I started using this phrase more often, I noticed that people were more open to my ideas. It’s as if asking permission primes people to listen.

High-level communicators understand that how you enter a conversation matters just as much as what you say.

6) “I see where you’re coming from”

Empathy is one of the quiet superpowers of effective communication.

This phrase shows that you’re making an effort to understand someone else’s perspective, even if you don’t agree with it.

It doesn’t mean you’re conceding. It means you’re emotionally intelligent enough to recognize that other people’s experiences shape their views.

When I traveled through Japan a few years ago, I learned how deeply cultural context affects communication.

People there are incredibly considerate in how they phrase disagreement. “I see where you’re coming from” fits that mindset. It bridges rather than divides.

It’s the verbal equivalent of a nod that says, “I get you.”

And who doesn’t want to feel understood?

7) “Let’s look at it another way”

Great communicators are great reframers.

They don’t get stuck in one viewpoint. They zoom out and invite others to do the same.

By saying, “Let’s look at it another way,” you introduce new perspectives without dismissing the existing one. It’s not “you’re wrong.” It’s “there’s more to consider.”

That difference changes everything.

I use this phrase whenever I sense a conversation looping in circles. It breaks the pattern and moves things forward.

It’s also an incredible creativity tool. When you reframe a problem, you often uncover solutions that were hiding in plain sight.

8) “Here’s what I took away from that”

High-level communicators don’t just talk. They synthesize.

They extract meaning, summarize key ideas, and reflect them back in a way that brings clarity.

Ending a meeting or conversation with “Here’s what I took away from that” is like hitting save on everything that was just said.

It signals understanding and accountability.

I once used this phrase during a collaborative writing project where a few of us had completely different creative visions.

Instead of rehashing every disagreement, I summarized what I heard each person value most. Everyone nodded in agreement, and we finally had a shared direction.

That’s what strong communication does. It builds alignment.

The bottom line

You don’t have to overhaul your entire vocabulary to become a better communicator.

Just sprinkling in a few of these phrases can shift how people perceive you. More thoughtful. More composed. Easier to talk to.

Being a high-level communicator isn’t about being the loudest or the most eloquent person in the room. It’s about being the most intentional one.

Start small. Try one of these phrases in your next conversation.

You’ll be surprised at how quickly things change when your words start working for you, not against you.