A good conversation at work is one where, at a minimum, we get a better understanding of something – some aspect of the world around us, the world of our conversation partner, or even of ourselves.
Often though conversations leave us befuddled and confused. Sometimes as I’m struggling to make sense of what others are saying it feels as if a dark grey fog descend on my brain as I desperately try to find my way through a maze. Even worse, I know that I am often guilty of creating the fog for others!
In a recent HBR blog post Dan Pallotta identifies five verbal habits that get in the way of understanding.
Abstractionitis – the opposite of using ordinary, real words to name things
Acronymitis – this one speaks for itself!
Valley Girl 2.0 – the mushy mess you get when you have lots of vacuous words strung together
Meaningless Expressions – stock expressions that sound good and trendy but with little substance
Abstract Valley Girl 2.0 Acronymitis Using Meaningless Expressions: what you get when you combine all of the above in one sentence.
What to do?
Check out Pallotta’s blog for more on these verbal bad habits. Notice where you commit any of these verbal sins. And if you do, then stop!
When the fog descends on your brain during a conversation, don’t assume you are the dumb one. Instead say clearly to your conversation partner: I do not understand what you just said. Please say it some other way.
