The other day I asked an executive I work with to clarify what he had just said to me. He said he would put it in writing, since he wasn’t sure why I didn’t understand what he said (he was a bit annoyed).

He sent me three paragraphs, which were clear as mud, as I told him when he called back.

By now, very annoyed, he asked exactly what I meant by “clarifying.”

I explained that, to me, clarity meant using the fewest words to present the most complex information in the most understandable way. Further, whether written or verbal, it meant always avoiding jargon and using the listeners’ language, i.e., using the words that were part of their normal vocabulary, as much as possible.

He said that was very difficult to do and took too much time.

I told him that reminded me of an old line I’d heard years ago, “I/we don’t have time to do it right, but I/we have time to do it over.”

(Mean coach that I am I also reminded him of what his last “quick” communication had cost, which was why he was talking with me in the first place!)

For those of you with the same problem, here are some guidelines to help clarify your future communications.

• strip the jargon (avoid it even in-house);
• use one-syllable words whenever possible;
• use simple sentences, subject and verb;
• listen to yourself;
• build your awareness;
• practice until you do it on autopilot; and, above all,
• avoid sounding like a lawyer!

Believe me, your customers, peers, and bosses will notice—and be very appreciative.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 24th, 2007 at 8:40 am and is filed under Business info, Communication, Leadership, Motivation. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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