Recently I have had occasion to read many goal sheets or “Inspiration Statements” or whatever you call them. I, universally, like them, but I am impressed by one thing: Whom are we trying to impress with them? Should be "me" or "us" right?-- And if that's the case--why do we use such fancy language? I think one goal should be to make them clear, simple, concise … clean!
To me this is particularly as relates to these sorts of documents for personal use and then even more so for those that we hope to share with others.
To do this, a good place to start would be to read George Orwell's 1946 essay, Politics and the English Language. Orwell understood how language could be used a weapon against the powerless, and how jargon and clichés are used to hide meaning, not clarify it. He offers six timeless rules for effective communication:
1. Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech, which you are not used to seeing in print.
2. Never use a long word where a short one will do.
3. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
4. Never use the passive where you can use the active.
5. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
6. Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.
7. Try and express your thoughts in one breath.
MBA-speak started by infecting the workplace but has tragically now also made its way into sport (losing teams now "lack accountability") and even the home (KPI's in the kitchen!).
* Why do we have to touch base to get our ducks in a row when we could just meet?
* Why must we synergize our learnings going forward, when comparing notes would do fine?
* Why wouldn't a busy person save time by saying "I'm busy" instead of due to cascading workflow, I am lacking in requisite bandwidth?
* Why reach out when you can just make a call?
* Why can't we leave a meeting with things to do, rather than take-home actionables?
Communication is about respect and accountability. If we express ourselves clearly, we have no choice but to stand by what we say. By resorting to clichés and jargon, people are blurring meaning to avoid scrutiny. It's also laziness and frankly unimpressive and poor form--who are we trying to impress anyway?
People are hungry for clarity and authenticity. In every part of life, let's commit to using language to amplify meaning, not bury it.
Aaron Blogs about Life, Unicity--a World-wide Opportunity, and Industry Leadership...
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About Me
- Aaron Webber
- Aaron has a long and impressive career in the direct-selling industry. He began in this industry at the age of 14. He has owned, started, bought, sold and merged companies within the industry. He has served on the DSA Board of Directors, the WFDSA CEO Council and Board of Directors and has Chaired the International Council for the same. After joining Unicity in 1997, Aaron rose rapidly through the ranks to become the part-owner and CEO of Unicity International in July 2003. After three years, he decided it was time to "walk the talk" and left that post in order to become a Distributor for Unicity. He now operates the largest AND fastest growing organization in the company and one of the same in the industry. Aaron's goal is to "lead the transformation of the industry." Aaron is an Internationally acclaimed speaker, author and trainer. Aaron graduated from the BYU Marriott School of Management with a Bachelor's degree in Finance and Economics and also holds his Master's degree from the University of Chicago Booth School of business. He and his wife wonderful Karrie are the parents of six children.
