There’s a significant link between language and personality. I’m Lachlan Brown, the founder of Hack Spirit and a mindfulness enthusiast. I’ve noticed that those with a robust personality tend to use certain phrases more often than others.

This isn’t about manipulation or deceit; it’s about authenticity and command. These individuals understand the power of words and their influence on others.

In this article, I’ll share 8 phrases often used by people with strong personalities. Incorporating these phrases into your daily conversations may not transform your personality overnight, but it’s a step towards understanding the linguistic habits of compelling characters.

Let’s get started. 

1. Assertiveness

A striking trait of those with a strong personality is their assertiveness. They don’t shy away from expressing their opinions or standing up for what they believe in.

These individuals often use phrases like “I believe,” “I think,” or “In my opinion”. This shows their readiness to take ownership of their thoughts, making their words more impactful.

Assertiveness isn’t about being aggressive or domineering; it’s about clear, honest communication. It’s a quality that sets strong personalities apart, allowing them to navigate tricky situations without compromising their principles.

As the renowned psychologist Albert Bandura once said, “In order to succeed, people need a sense of self-efficacy, to struggle together with resilience to meet the inevitable obstacles and inequities of life.”

Those with strong personalities embody this principle, using assertive language as a tool in their daily interactions.

2. Positivity

Another hallmark of a strong personality is a positive outlook. They often use phrases like “I can,” “I will,” or “We’ve got this.” These words reflect their inner confidence and tenacity.

Let me share a personal example. I remember being part of a difficult project at Hack Spirit. The team was under stress and morale was low. It was then that one of our senior members, known for his strong personality, stepped in.

“I know it’s tough, but we’ve got this,” he would say. It wasn’t just empty pep talk. He genuinely believed that we could overcome the challenges. And guess what? We did. His positivity was infectious and it changed our perspective.

As Martin Seligman, the father of positive psychology, said, “Optimism is invaluable for the meaningful life… with a firm belief in a positive future, you can throw yourself into the service of that which is larger than you are.”

3. Self-awareness

One attribute that sets strong personalities apart is their high degree of self-awareness. They’re in tune with their strengths, weaknesses, emotions, and beliefs. And this is reflected in their language.

They often use phrases like “I understand,” “I realize,” or “I accept.” These reflect a willingness to acknowledge and learn from their experiences, both good and bad.

In my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I delve deeper into this concept. I discuss how embracing self-awareness can lead to profound personal growth and a balanced ego.

For example, instead of blaming others for a failed project, a person with a strong personality might say, “I understand where we went wrong,” accepting their part in the situation.

4. Empathy

People with strong personalities often exhibit high levels of empathy. This isn’t just about understanding someone else’s perspective, but actively expressing that understanding.

They use phrases like “I see where you’re coming from,” or “I can imagine how that feels.” These are powerful words that can create a connection between people, showing respect and validation for others’ experiences.

It’s important to note that empathy isn’t about complete agreement or losing sight of one’s own perspective. Instead, it’s a tool for better understanding others and communicating effectively.

Psychological studies have shown that empathy can foster stronger relationships, improve team dynamics, and even increase personal satisfaction. Carl Rogers, one of the most influential psychologists of the 20th century, claimed, “When someone really hears you without passing judgment on you, without trying to take responsibility for you, without trying to mold you, it feels damn good!”

People with strong personalities understand this and use empathetic language to build stronger connections and influence their surroundings positively.

5. Vulnerability

Now, this one might come as a surprise. Vulnerability and strong personality? Yes, they do go hand in hand.

People with strong personalities often use phrases like “I don’t know,” “I need help,” or “I was wrong.” It’s because they understand that acknowledging one’s limitations or mistakes isn’t a sign of weakness, but of strength.

Being open about areas of uncertainty or error shows a willingness to learn and grow. It also fosters trust and respect from others.

Brené Brown, a research professor at the University of Houston, has spent her career studying vulnerability. She asserts, “Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome.”

Those with strong personalities embrace vulnerability as a part of their identity, using it as a tool for personal growth and deeper connections.

6. Gratitude

Gratitude is another common theme in the language of strong personalities. They often use phrases like “I appreciate,” “I’m grateful,” or “Thank you.”

These words reflect a positive outlook on life and a recognition of the good things they have. Expressing gratitude also helps to build stronger relationships and fosters a sense of well-being.

This isn’t just about being polite; it’s about truly acknowledging the efforts and kindness of others. It’s a simple yet powerful way to make others feel valued and important.

People with strong personalities understand this and make gratitude a regular part of their vocabulary.

7. Acceptance

Words like “I accept,” “I understand,” or “It’s okay” are frequently used by people with strong personalities. These phrases show acceptance of the present situation or circumstances, even if they’re not ideal.

For example, when pandemic struck and all of us at Hack Spirit had to work remotely, there was a lot of uncertainty and anxiety. But our team leader, known for his strong personality, would often say, “It’s okay, we’ll adapt and get through this together.”

This acceptance doesn’t mean passive resignation; it’s about recognizing the reality and then working towards a solution or adjustment. It encourages resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity.

As the famous psychologist Carl Jung once said, “We cannot change anything until we accept it. Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses.”

Strong people understand this and use acceptance as a stepping stone towards positive change.

8. Responsibility

People with strong personalities often use phrases like “I will,” “I can,” or “Let’s do this.” These words show a sense of responsibility and determination to take action.

They don’t pass the buck or avoid challenges. Instead, they step up, take charge, and commit to making things happen. This proactive approach sets them apart and often inspires others to follow suit.

Taking responsibility isn’t just about handling tasks or duties. It’s about owning your actions, decisions, and their outcomes — both successes and failures.

Psychologist and Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl once said, “Freedom is but the negative aspect of the whole phenomenon whose positive aspect is responsibleness.” Those with strong personalities understand this and embrace responsibility as a fundamental part of their character.

In conclusion: It’s about growth

Our language is a reflection of our personality. The phrases we regularly use can signal our perspectives, our behaviors, and yes, our strength of character.

These eight phrases that we’ve discussed are powerful indicators of a strong personality. They reflect qualities like assertiveness, positivity, self-awareness, empathy, vulnerability, gratitude, acceptance, and responsibility.

But remember, having a strong personality isn’t about being loud or domineering. It’s about being authentic, self-aware, and resilient in the face of life’s challenges.

Using these phrases doesn’t mean you’re trying to manipulate others or command attention. Instead, it’s about expressing your true self and inspiring others through your words and actions.

In my book Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I delve deeper into the concept of personal growth and ego management. It’s about understanding the balance between personal impact and ego to create a fulfilling life.

So as you reflect on your own language and personality, keep these phrases in mind. They’re not just words; they’re tools for personal growth, fostering stronger relationships, and making a positive impact in the world.