Use these 4 words to become more influential at work, advise experts

Including these words in your vocabulary is likely to lead to you having a better hand to deal with things at work.

Communication experts have narrowed down four words that they believe will improve employees' influence at work, giving them a possible upper hand in projects and even promotion.

“Careers are very different now... things are more remote and virtual, so you’re not around people as much,” Stanford University lecturer and communication expert Matt Abrahams told CNBC Make It. “You really are forging your own way and need to get others to at least support, if not follow, the things you’re trying to do.”

Here are four simple words to use at work for that extra sway:

1.) We

According to psychology research from the Stanford Graduate School of Business published in 2023, the use of inclusive language like “us” and “we,” instead of “you” and “me,” can make people more receptive to ideas and arguments.

“Unlike ‘you’ pronouns, which signal a focus on the recipient and can feel aggressive, ‘we’ pronouns are used to communicate a shared perspective or experience,” the study stated. “Consequently, ‘we’ pronouns can ... signal closeness and inclusivity.”

2.) Because

“Because” can make you more convincing if explaining your reasoning in a presentation or an argument, Wharton marketing professor Jonah Berger told CNBC Make It. A nearly 50-year-old Harvard University study also found that using "because" in a request had a 50 percent higher success rate.

3.) Recommend

Using “recommend” instead of " like" makes people 32 percent more likely to take suggestions, a 2017 study co-authored by Berger stated. “Like suggests a personal preference, while recommend suggests others will enjoy it as well,” he told the publication.

4.) Help

Knowing how and when to ask for help can make you more influential, a Philadelphia-based workplace performance coach Henna Pryor said.

"Do your research and try to come to conclusions on your own. Then, when in doubt, admitting you need extra guidance could save you time, money and your reputation," Pryor told CNBC Make It last month.