Before we get into this, I feel I need to apologise as bringing this up is going to mean the word 'right' becomes impossible to unhear... but here we go...
I've been listening to a lot of podcasts lately. Founder interviews, tech discussions, product deep-dives - the usual fare for someone working in software. Problem is, I've had to turn off more episodes than I would like to admit. It's not because of the content. It's because of one word.
Right?
The verbal tic that's everywhere
You know the pattern. Someone makes a statement, then tags "right?" onto the end. Not as a genuine question seeking agreement, but as a rhetorical full stop that somehow demands you nod along.
"We need to move fast and break things, right?" "The customer is always at the centre of everything we do, right?" "AI is going to fundamentally transform how we build software, right?"
Have you heard it too? It's so prevalent. I just can't put up with it. It's like nails on a chalkboard once I notice it.
Don't believe me? Here's Paul Graham — someone whose essays and talks I have massive respect for — in conversation. Listen for it. Once you hear it, you can't unhear it.
Why does it grate on me so much?
For me, language matters. The words we choose and how we deploy them shape how people perceive us. And ending every statement with "right?" sends a peculiar message.
On the surface, it might seem like you're inviting agreement, being inclusive, checking that your audience is following along. But in practice, it comes across differently. To me, you're presenting your opinions as unchallengeable facts. It implies that only an unreasonable person would disagree. It's a subtle way of closing down conversation rather than opening it up.
Dale Carnegie wrote about this decades ago in How to Win Friends and Influence People. People don't like being told what to think. They respond far better to genuine questions and being given space to form their own conclusions.
It's not just Americans (but mostly it is)
This speech pattern does seem more common in American startup culture. However, it's spreading. I've noticed it creeping into UK tech circles too, probably absorbed through the endless consumption of Silicon Valley content we all engage in. That or our constant doomscrolling.
I'm not here to bash anyone's accent or cultural speech patterns. I'm from Glasgow. I'm borderline incomprehensible when I talk. Regional variations in how we communicate are brilliant and should be celebrated. But this isn't really a regional thing. It's a habit, a bad one at that, and I really believe it's a habit that can be changed.
A gentler way forward
If you've read this far and are now slightly paranoid about your own speech patterns, don't worry. We've all got verbal tics. Mine is probably saying "sort of" far too often. So please don't think this is me preaching or being negative. I hope it's more about awareness.
Here are some thoughts on communicating more effectively:
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Make actual statements. If you believe something, state it confidently. "We prioritise user experience above all else." Full stop. Let it breathe. Let your audience decide whether they agree.
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Ask genuine questions. If you actually want to know whether someone agrees or is following your reasoning, ask them properly. "Does that make sense?" or "What do you think?" invites actual dialogue rather than assumed compliance.
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Embrace the pause. Sometimes we tag "right?" onto sentences because we're uncomfortable with silence. Pauses are powerful. They give your words weight and your audience time to absorb what you've said.
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Listen to yourself. Record a meeting or presentation and play it back. It can be excruciating, but it's illuminating. You'll spot patterns you never knew you had.
Words matter in business
This might seem like a small thing to write about, and as I say, a bit preachy. However, communication is fundamental to what we do. Whether you're pitching to investors, leading a team, selling to customers or explaining technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, how you speak shapes how you're perceived.
At Add Jam, we work with founders and startups across the UK, helping them build digital products. A huge part of that work involves communication, understanding what people actually need, explaining technical constraints and possibilities and building trust. The small stuff matters.
So consider this a friendly nudge. Be mindful of your verbal tics. Your ideas deserve to stand on their own merits, not to be propped up by reflexive demands for agreement.
And if you catch yourself doing it? Don't beat yourself up. Just notice, adjust, and carry on. We're all learning, right?
Wait. I mean - we're all learning.
Building a startup and want to work with a team that actually listens? We'd love to chat about your project. Get in touch and let's have a proper conversation.
