{"id":13879,"date":"2023-09-15T03:54:26","date_gmt":"2023-09-15T03:54:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mysourcefunding.com\/leadership\/when-to-use-adam-grants-weak-language-and-when-not-to\/"},"modified":"2023-09-15T03:54:28","modified_gmt":"2023-09-15T03:54:28","slug":"when-to-use-adam-grants-weak-language-and-when-not-to","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mysourcefunding.com\/?p=13879","title":{"rendered":"When To Use Adam Grant\u2019s \u2018Weak Language\u2019 And When Not To"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

So \u201cweak language\u201d isn\u2019t as bad as we thought, but does that mean we should use it more? Adam Grant\u2019s recent article about women strategically using weak language at work challenges the notion that tentative language is wrong or ineffective. Historically women have been criticized for hedging (might, just, sort of) and disclaimers (I\u2019m no expert, but\u2026), yet research shows they are also rewarded for it. For example, Grant cites a study that found women were more likely to get a raise when they used so-called weak language while negotiating. (Whether men use weak language or not made no difference.)<\/p>\n

Grant argues that using this language is not a deficiency, but instead a valuable strategy to convey \u201cinterpersonal sensitivity.\u201d Rather than glorifying assertiveness and bluntness, says Grant, let\u2019s appreciate the strength in humility, empathy, and collaboration\u2014all values conveyed through weak language.<\/p>\n

No doubt we could use more of these qualities in the workplace, but take it from Grant and the scores of women who\u2019ve taken to social media to share their own experiences that the feedback about weak language isn\u2019t always positive.<\/p>\n

If weak language is sometimes effective and sometimes a liability, then where does that leave us? Should you use weak language or not, and if so, when?<\/p>\n

Only use weak language on purpose<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/fbs-ad><\/p>\n

Grant\u2019s analysis underscores something I tell my clients during training: whatever you do in your writing, do it on purpose.<\/p>\n

I teach professionals to recognize credibility killers in their writing, including hedges and disclaimers, and trim them out. I call them credibility killers because people often overuse this language without realizing it or can\u2019t articulate why they\u2019re using it. Too much weak language used without intention can impact your reputation.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m not anti-hedge or anti-disclaimer. Rather, I think these types of words and phrases should be used with care and purpose\u2014never on accident. Like with anything, the more you use weak language, the less impact it has. It can also confuse your audience about the point you\u2019re making or how strong your opinion is.<\/p>\n

I encourage clients to have a neutral mindset toward hedging and disclaimers\u2014they are neither good nor bad\u2014and instead ask themselves, will this language help me reach my goals or hinder me?<\/p>\n

Here are three considerations for when to use weak language.<\/p>\n

Who is your audience and what do you want them to know, think, feel, or do?<\/strong><\/p>\n

There\u2019s a difference between asking for a raise, telling your team about an urgent deadline, or delivering a tricky update to your client. Different occasions and different people require different wording.<\/p>\n

To write effectively\u2014in other words, to write something that achieves your desired outcome\u2014you need to ask yourself some questions: What will motivate my audience to know, think, feel, or do what I need? What will resonate with them? Effective communication requires understanding your audience. If you don\u2019t know them personally, you might need to do some research or else practice empathy\u2014try to imagine how they\u2019ll perceive your message.<\/p>\n

Being clear on what you want from your audience and how you think they\u2019ll relate to you and your message will help you find the right language to use.<\/p>\n

How important is it that your audience read every word?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Weak language tends to add extra words to your prose. When documents reach a certain length, we know from eye-tracking studies that readers only reliably read about 20 to 28 percent of the words. That means they\u2019re skipping about three quarters of your text. From the first glance, they\u2019ll feel overwhelmed by the document and default to skimming and scanning instead of careful, linear reading.<\/p>\n

As a writer, you can\u2019t afford clutter. In their haste to get through your document, your audience is likely to miss your point\u2014and fail to deliver what you need from them.<\/p>\n

When you need your audience to read every word, make sure your writing is as clear and brief as possible. You will probably need to declutter your sentences. The easiest words to trim are often hedges and other weak language. Usually, your meaning won\u2019t be affected at all.<\/p>\n

What are your larger goals? (Or, what is your personal brand voice?)<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are other kinds of weak language, like excessive apologizing, that are always risky. If you apologize for every communication (\u201cSorry for the double email,\u201d \u201cSo sorry, but shouldn\u2019t that \u2018their\u2019 be \u2018there\u2019?\u201d) you train people to expect you to do things wrong or cause problems, rather than offer solutions. You probably don\u2019t need to apologize for sending a second email or correcting an error on a slide\u2014you\u2019re just doing your job! When you apologize too much, especially for things you don\u2019t need to apologize for, it\u2019ll also make it harder to apologize for real when you actually need to.<\/p>\n

The point here is this: How do you see yourself and your role at work? How do you want other people to see you? One single interaction\u2014a stray, accidental hedging word, or an extra \u201csorry\u201d you didn\u2019t need to say\u2014isn\u2019t going to hurt you. In fact, to Grant\u2019s point, it might help others see you as empathetic and thoughtful. But too many of those things over time, as a default mode of communication, might brand you as tentative or prone to mistakes.<\/p>\n

Take into account your audience and goals for each piece of writing and use your best judgment. Otherwise, don\u2019t sweat it too much. Many professionals, especially women, have experienced polar opposite feedback\u2014\u201cyou\u2019re too direct\u201d and \u201cyou\u2019re not direct enough.\u201d You\u2019re never going to please everyone. Sometimes the best you can do is write in a way that you<\/em> can stand behind and that you think has a good chance of getting the job done.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Read the full article here<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

So \u201cweak language\u201d isn\u2019t as bad as we thought, but does that mean we should use it more? Adam Grant\u2019s recent article about women strategically using weak language at work challenges the notion that tentative language is wrong or ineffective. Historically women have been criticized for hedging (might, just, sort of) and disclaimers (I\u2019m no […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13880,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[76],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-13879","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-leadership"},"yoast_head":"\nWhen To Use Adam Grant\u2019s \u2018Weak Language\u2019 And When Not To | Brandiary<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"So \u201cweak language\u201d isn\u2019t as bad as we thought, but does that mean we should use it more? 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