Topic No 2: Warning: Rocket Launchers: Words and Their Meaning.

Some love to sprinkle their communications with unnecessary and meaningless words. For example: “In the future, you might want to consider a different and more suitable approach to such an unfortunate turn of events and,  thereby, avoid any further misunderstanding.” One wonders what this is all about! Too many words dilute the message and, more importantly, the desired impact. It even seems that many more words will be needed to explain this statement. Furthermore, the whole approach can be viewed as condescending. A more direct construction will do better in achieving the desired outcome. However, direct does not mean offensive. Here is a better way of delivering this message: “Please try to consider a different approach, to help avoid any further misunderstanding”. Words have power, they must be chosen carefully.

In the work place, make sure you have access to good dictionaries, whether in book form or online (for example merriam-webster.com), and do refer to these tools to make sure you are using the right wording before pushing the Send button. Another tip: use a spell checker. The English language may seem easy, but it does have its set of rules to ensure a clear communication. English grammar books may seem be lighter than those of other languages, but they do exist and they do help, for example, with irregular verbs, prepositions.

Next Topic: The Tone in Written Communications

The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place. (George Bernard Shaw)

Marie-Josée and Anick