Clean up the uncertain language in your communication
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Posted in Communication Tuesday
What do these phrases mean to you?
- A good chance
- Almost certain
- Better than even
- Definite
- Highly probable
- Highly unlikely
- Impossible
- Improbable
- Likely
- Possible
- Probable
- Quite likely
- Rare
- Seldom
- Unlikely
- Very
And, do they mean the same thing to the people listen you use them or read what your write?
I am guilty of using all of these phrases when speaking and writing. I shouldn’t expect other people to adopt what I think the phrases mean; I should work on using the clearest language I can.
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Just an FYI for your readers. According to reasearch done by a few gender communication researchers (Deborah Tannen, Julia T. Wood to mention two), some of these language choices are more likely to made by women than men. Specifically, hesitancy words and phrases like “maybe” or “I think this could be true” or “possibly” are used in an attempt to not offend or to be inclusive of alternative views. The problem with this is that it is often perceived as the person being unsure of themselves or unwilling to commit to opinions. So, in addition to your important suggestion to achieve more clarity in your language use, one should also check on the confidence that is being displayed in their communication.
Thanks for the reminder!