{"id":18406,"date":"2023-10-23T16:12:17","date_gmt":"2023-10-23T16:12:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mysourcefunding.com\/startups\/is-this-crystal-clear-to-you-are-you-sure\/"},"modified":"2023-10-23T16:12:18","modified_gmt":"2023-10-23T16:12:18","slug":"is-this-crystal-clear-to-you-are-you-sure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mysourcefunding.com\/?p=18406","title":{"rendered":"Is This Crystal Clear To You? Are You Sure?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

By Dianna Booher\u2014<\/p>\n

The question of clarity reminds me of the famous line in the 1992 movie A Few Good Men<\/em>. In a fiery exchange between Jack Nicholson (on trial) and Tom Cruise (the lower-ranking prosecutor), the Marine Colonel responds from the witness stand:<\/p>\n

\u201cWe follow orders or people die. It\u2019s that simple. . . . Are we clear?\u201d<\/p>\n

The young prosecutor responds, \u201cYes, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre we clear<\/em>?\u201d Nicholson pushes further.<\/p>\n

\u201cCrystal.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

We can be equally confident that we\u2019re communicating clearly when we are definitely not.<\/p>\n

Yet, most of us think we communicate clearly. Otherwise, we wouldn\u2019t talk or write with the words we use.<\/p>\n

Case in Point<\/strong><\/h2>\n

My husband and I used to get into \u201cintense\u201d discussions when we traveled together on business. No, the topic was never about airline delays or cancellations, what time to leave, or how many museums and activities we could or should cram into each day? (Although, each of those decisions are always matters that both of us like to chime in on frequently.)<\/p>\n

The arguments developed over restaurant selections. Invariably, he\u2019d consult the Concierge\u2019s Desk for their recommendation on a good restaurant. And about 7 times out of 10, we\u2019d be disappointed. Either the restaurant was too noisy for a conversation, they didn\u2019t take reservations and the wait proved to be too long, it took far too much travel time or effort, or the food turned out to be mediocre.<\/p>\n

At one point in our travels, after so many disappointing dining experiences, I probed: \u201cWhat exactly are you asking the Concierge?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean, \u2018what am I asking?\u2019 I just ask them to recommend a good restaurant.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ah, that was the source of the disappointment\u2014their definition for \u201cgood.\u201d For some Concierges (or friends), their \u201cgood\u201d rating means one or several of the following things:<\/p>\n

\u2013\u2013\u201cIt\u2019s close by.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013\u2013\u201cI like the steaks there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013\u2013\u201cThe prices are reasonable for the quantities you get.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013\u2013\u201cThe d\u00e9cor and atmosphere are unique. It\u2019s a fun place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013\u2013\u201cOther guests have told me they enjoyed eating there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013\u2013\u201cThere\u2019s lots of action\u2014you can easily meet up with somebody.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013\u2013\u201cWe get a commission for every diner that we send there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Once my spouse learned to phrase his questions differently\u2014that is, specifically<\/em>\u2013\u2013we\u2019ve enjoyed our dining experiences far more.<\/p>\n

Consider the following words and phrases as you reflect on the clarity of your requests, demands, complaints, or overviews. In our communication training and consulting during the last three decades, we continue to find confusion in emails, policy statements, procedures, presentations, delegated assignments, contracts, sales meetings, and even marketing messages.<\/p>\n

Here are some of the primary culprits:<\/p>\n

\u201cAs Soon As Possible\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Colleagues use this phrasing often when they\u2019re asking their peers to do something or send something, but don\u2019t actually have a supervisory role. They need the information immediately, but they think they\u2019re being courteous and non-demanding\u2014when actually they\u2019re only being unclear.<\/p>\n

People who hear this phrase routinely reflect: \u201cWho\u2019s asking?\u201d If such a request comes from their boss, it must mean within the day. If from a colleague in another department, it may mean \u201cwhen I get finished with the project I\u2019m working on now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn a Few Days\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Ditto the same thinking as above. The biggest disconnect with this phrase happens between customers and suppliers. Supplier Hank says his staff members are all out on other jobs currently, but promises to send a repair person out when they\u2019re available \u201cin a few days.\u201d The customer expects to have the repairs done in three to four days. The supplier has in mind any time in the next two weeks.<\/p>\n

When that miscommunication happens, there goes the negative Yelp review.<\/p>\n

\u201cAn Interesting Idea\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n

After someone in a meeting presents a new approach to a problem, that comment can send a totally opposite message:<\/p>\n

\u2013\u2013\u201cThat\u2019s an intriguing idea worth pursuing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013\u2013\u201cI don\u2019t understand what you mean clearly enough to give you a specific response.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013\u2013”That\u2019s a dumb idea, but I don\u2019t want to be rude by saying so.\u201d<\/p>\n

In such cases, tone and facial expression may give away the real meaning\u2014but not always.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s Meet to Discuss\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When someone issues that invitation, the common comeback is a question: \u201cDo you mean get together in your office? By Zoom? Or on the phone?<\/p>\n

\u201cAcceptable Risks\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Ask any investor about their \u201cacceptable risks\u201d in their portfolio, and you\u2019ll get varied answers. That\u2019s to be expected. They have different goals, different size portfolios, and different risk tolerance. That\u2019s why their financial advisors typically ask their client investors to complete a lengthy questionnaire in an attempt to \u201cnail down\u201d what they consider \u201cacceptable risks.\u201d Otherwise, after the investor experiences a bull market, the shock can be crippling.<\/p>\n

\u201cSimilar Cities\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Is that reference to cities \u201csimilar\u201d in geography, population, demographics, industries, climate, political environment and governance\u2014or all of the previous?<\/p>\n

\u201cInadequate Facilities\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Why exactly are the facilities inadequate? Location? Size? Antiquated? Security? Unsuitable for the purpose? Listener\u2019s choice on how to interpret this one!<\/p>\n

\u201cUnavoidable Delays\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Typically, when companies disappoint customers or colleagues for mishaps (mis-shipments, missing project deadlines, failure to deliver on a promise), they apologize about \u201cunavoidable delays\u201d rather than owning up to the specifics.<\/p>\n

When you use that phrasing, just keep in mind that customers typically don\u2019t interpret charitably. Instead, they\u2019re often thinking that either your staffer goofed, someone else down the line dropped the ball, or you\u2019re just being \u201ccagey\u201d about the reasons. They assume it\u2019s a coverup for the guilty party.<\/p>\n

Granted, not everyone wants to be clear in a negative situation. But the next time you intend<\/em> to be understood, make sure your words are specific and clear\u2014crystal clear.<\/p>\n

Dianna Booher is the bestselling author of 50 books, including Communicate Like a Leader<\/em>. She helps organizations communicate clearly and individuals increase influence with a strong personal presence.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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

By Dianna Booher\u2014 The question of clarity reminds me of the famous line in the 1992 movie A Few Good Men. In a fiery exchange between Jack Nicholson (on trial) and Tom Cruise (the lower-ranking prosecutor), the Marine Colonel responds from the witness stand: \u201cWe follow orders or people die. It\u2019s that simple. . . […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18407,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[77],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-18406","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-startups"},"yoast_head":"\nIs This Crystal Clear To You? Are You Sure? | Brandiary<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"By Dianna Booher\u2014 The question of clarity reminds me of the famous line in the 1992 movie A Few Good Men. 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