Even something as simple as ending a sentence with the tone of a question mark rather than a period can diminish a person's authority and credibility.
In her book "The Art of Being," author Susan C. Young emphasizes the significant impact of subtle communication cues on a person's authority and credibility. She notes that even the choice of punctuation at the end of a sentence can influence how one's message is received. A question mark can suggest uncertainty, potentially undermining the speaker's perceived confidence and expertise.
This observation highlights the importance of being mindful of the way we communicate in various contexts. By understanding how tone and punctuation affect our presence and how we are perceived, we can enhance our communication skills and project more assertiveness in our interactions.