Winning Words
Winning words were missing when Don Cherry commented on air last week. Everyone is talking about it. I’m brining it up because on a daily basis at work, at home and at play we all have moments where we lack winning words. Celebrating our way of life in Canada by honouring those who fought for our freedom is simply a ‘no brainer’. Remembering those who have gone before us ~ nationally, locally or familially creates reminders for our children and maintains awareness in our society. (These are good things for our future.)
How Winning Words Get Messed Up
Winning words are sometimes a challenge to put together. We each have a ‘chain of meaning’ attached to the words we use. My family has British heritage and even though we all speak English, the meaning of certain words can be taken entirely different. The same english word means something else for other family members who grew up in Great Britian. What I intend by the words I say and what my listener may interpret from those words can be two very different things.
Creating win-win through the conscious use of language is even more critical than ever before. As we close out this decade we find ourselves inundated. We are flooded with advertising campaigns, social media messaging and email content. This is bombarding our daily walkabout and it necessitates that we say things more clearly and concisely. Simple words like ‘yes’ and ‘no’ are good to utilize to help get our message delivered accurately to our listener. But what if there was a simple formula?
3 Simple Steps to Clearer Communication
The easiest way to say what you really mean is to use these 3 Simple Steps:
- Say it the way you want it.
- Be direct, avoid inferential speaking.
- Ask the listener to repeat back to you what she/he understood you to say.
These 3 simple steps can seem way too basic. But when we pause to ensure we are using all 3 steps communication is easier, clearer and more concise. There is much more information and training programs that can help you and your team streamline communication. Let me know in the comments below how you craft your winning words.