Avoid Stereotypes and Clichés for Fresh and Original Language.

The danger of stereotypes, even seemingly "positive" ones.

A conscientious and respectful communicator should avoid the use of stereotypes at all costs.

Making assumptions based on a person's nationality, ethnicity, age or other characteristics is offensive because it shows a lack of respect for his or her talents and individual personality.

It is crucial to understand that this danger remains even with stereotypes that appear "positive."

For example, assuming that a colleague of Asian descent is inherently good at math is demeaning because it invalidates his or her personal effort and creates unfair pressure on other individuals of the same background who may not fit that mold.

Stereotypes, regardless of their intent, always reduce a person to a caricature.

Why clichés detract from the impact and originality of your message

Clichés or idioms are expressions that, through overuse, have lost all their charm, impact and capacity for emphasis.

Phrases such as "thinking outside the box" or "crystal clear" have been used so many times that they no longer contribute any real value to the message; they have become mere conversation filler.

Although their meaning is understandable, their use denotes a lack of originality and effort on the part of the speaker.

A speech full of clichés may be grammatically correct, but it will be predictable, boring and ultimately unmemorable.

Exercise: identify and replace common clichés in your vocabulary.

To develop a fresher, more personal speaking style, a self-awareness exercise is necessary.

The next time you find yourself in a conversation, try to monitor your speech for clichés. The first step is to try to stop yourself just before the cliché comes out of your mouth.

If it slips out, don't worry; the second step is to take a moment afterwards to note mentally or in writing what else you could have said instead.

For example, instead of saying "better late than never," you could have said "I appreciate that you completed it despite the setbacks."

This constant practice trains your brain to actively search for more original alternatives.

How to create your own metaphors and expressions for a memorable speech.

True mastery of verbal communication is achieved when we not only avoid clichés, but begin to create our own witty expressions.

Breaking free from clichés forces us to draw on a wider vocabulary and positions us as original thinkers in the eyes of our audience. One creative exercise is to take a familiar cliché and reinvent it.

For example, instead of the hackneyed expression "between a rock and a hard place," you could create an alternative such as "between a lightning bolt and the abyss."

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