public speaking terms

I pray that you will speak like a human being

By Darrell L. Browning

I don’t know about you, but I sometimes have trouble understanding business people. That’s because many have a language all their own and mistakenly believe others understand it too. How many have been in a business conversation where we pray others will speak to us like a human being rather than the next paragraph in their head?
Listen to how a financial services manager described his company’s direction: “Our company’s strategic synergy and processes are designed to create a platform where employees can benchmark success in a multifaceted environment stimulating current standards.” No one could come out of this conversation with even a basic understanding of this company. And this was at a networking event. Using this type of language is counterproductive and inappropriate. It isn’t about how smart you are but what service or value you bring to others. Let’s look at some more examples that force people to clasp their hands together.

On Second Thought, Let’s Easel That. Popular, but not everyone is familiar with this training term.

We Need to Clarify, Rectify and Review. For goodness sakes, this sounds like a medical exam. Just ask for a progress report.

Let’s Put a Line-of-Sight Out for Our Employees. Is this part of the vision program? Try being direct: let’s start at point A and go to point B.

Let’s Take This Offline and Put it in the Parking Lot. Cute, but few people actually drive during conversations. State both the reason for the delay and the next step to assure you reach your goal.

I Need to Get a Pulse on This. Well, put your finger to your wrist. Actually, just ask for clarification.

There are more examples, of course, but perhaps we should table this discussion. We do ask, however, that you give us a heads up so we can continue to think about pushing the envelope. In the meantime, we can straw dog the idea and punch holes in the process to improve the desired outcome. Then we can get back to our original idea. If only someone can remember what that was.

Point is everyone needs to work at being a better communicator. Improved communication helps create many useful things: a real learning organization, for one, and better decision-making processes for another.

When you find yourself using jargon and flowery language designed to impress rather to educate, inform or persuade others ask yourself how you would feel at the other end of the conversation. Then, speak to others like you would like to be spoken too. You know, like a real human being.

For more information, see http://www.browninglafrankie.com.

About the Author:

Darrell L. Browning is a principal founder of BrowningLaFrankie LLC, a Philadelphia-area based company specializing in helping companies manage crises, train leaders in media and presentation skills in addition to facilitating strategic change through leadership development and organizational development workshops. Browning is the trainer-of-choice at The Wharton School MBA Program at the University of Pennsylvania in crisis communications, media training and business writing. A journalist by profession, Browning has more than 20 years of media experience with CBS-Radio, daily newspapers and national magazines. He holds degrees in Journalism and Social Sciences from The Ohio State University.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – I Pray You Will Speak Like a Human Being

Public Speaking Fears-Winter Term 2009

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