Lisa Braithwaite is a public speaking coach from Santa Barbara, California, interviewed by the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune as an expert in her craft. Braithwaite's blog, "Speak Schmeak" covers all aspects of the public speaking process, though much of her content also relates to interpersonal communication.

Read the entry "What's Your Crutch Phrase?"
http://coachlisab.blogspot.com/2008/09/whats-your-crutch-phrase.html

Answer the following questions:
1. Monitor your conversations for one to two days and try to catch any "crutch phrases" that you use. Ask others to help you as you speak with them. What do you say repetitively?

2. Why do you believe you use the "crutch phrase" that you do? Do you perceive your "crutch phrase" impacting your ability to clearly communicate?

3. Devise up to three strategies that you can use to, as Braithwaite puts it, "eradicate your crutch phrase."