YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
I learned a lesson about clear communication the hard way in college when a professor at the University of Texas gave me an “undetermined” grade on an assigned paper. When I asked why, he pointed out a word in my opening paragraph that he, himself, with two doctorates, didn’t know the meaning of. He said, “If I don’t recognize this word, there’s a good chance that over 99.9% of people won’t know. So, learn to communicate your thoughts clearly and concisely, or you’ll fail this class.”
It was a wake-up call that forced me to reevaluate how I communicate. Achieving clarity isn’t as easy as using long words or impressive syntax. We often confuse and frustrate people when we focus too much on trying to impress or sound wise.
There is a better way to get your meaning across.
First, it will help if you don’t use words unfamiliar to your audience. For instance, I’ve heard or seen others use words recently that may be common to the communicator’s vocabulary, but it’s doubtful whether they are in the everyday language of others – words like truncate, urbane, sardonic, pedantic and pericope. It’s not worth potentially confusing or frustrating your audience over these words.
Moreover, lacing your message with complicated jargon and lengthy sentences won’t help most of your listeners or readers since the average U.S. reading level is the seventh or eighth grade. Keeping the message simple is more likely to land with everyone and avoid confusing and alienating your audience.
Best-selling author C.S. Lewis once said, “Any fool can write learned language. The vernacular is the real test.” Writing or speaking with language someone will understand should always be our priority.
Here are five benefits from communicating clearly.
Clear communication with others is a crucial step toward achieving success. It builds strong relationships, helps you lead your team and sets the standard for successful collaboration. To succeed in any area, focus on ensuring that your message is communicated clearly and meaningfully – and experience the benefits because you did.
Consultant, professional speaker and author Mark Holmes is president of Springfield-based Consultant Board Inc. and MarkHolmesGroup.com. He can be reached at mark@markholmesgroup.com.
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