When politicians, business leaders, and others use words to blur their meaning rather than clarify it, both writers and readers suffer. The main cost of divorcing words from their meaning is a loss of ability to think clearly. As the saying goes, clear writing is a sign of clear thinking. When people cannot think coherently, they cannot write coherently and vice versa. Fortunately, however, Orwell’s essay offers hope. He believed that if each individual takes it upon himself to use fresh, compelling images, avoid pretentious language, and write clearly, we can change the world one word at a time.

I recommend that you read the entire nine-page essay (just Google the essay’s title and you can find the pdf or book). Here I offer you a few excerpts from the piece. He suggests that writers ask themselves six key questions and follow six rules:

“A scrupulous writer will ask himself these questions:

• What am I trying to say?
• What words will express it?
• What image or idiom will make it clearer?
• Is this image fresh enough to have an effect?
• Could I put it more shortly?
• Have I said anything that is avoidably ugly?”

Once we have answered those questions, we must write our document. For this, too, Orwell has practical suggestions that apply to all writers. He says, “What is above all needed is to let the meaning choose the word, and not the other way about.” Here are the rules he suggests:

1. Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech that you are used to seeing in print.
2. Never use a long word when a short one will do.
3. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
4. Never use the passive voice where you can use the active.
5. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
6. Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.

As the author of 1984, Animal Farm, and numerous outstanding essays, Orwell knew about good writing. I hope you will take his advice and eschew obfuscation forever.

​
​Call Worktalk When:

• Companies lose customers due to poor messaging from sales and customer service teams;
• Clients complain about communication from professional service firms’ staff members;
• Employees need to humanize the output of AI-assisted writing programs so it doesn’t sound fake;
• Employees need help developing the right prompts for AI-assisted writing programs to generate more effective outputs;
• Employees waste time repeatedly emailing one another because their messages are unclear.

Contact me at lizd@worktalk.com or 310.396.8303.

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If you missed the last Writamin on being gruntled that irregardless is a word, find it here.

The post George Orwell’s Call to Action appeared first on Worktalk.

— E.B. White

It can be tempting to use hedge words like just, very, seemingly, and their ilk. Sometimes, we use these words because we fear being too bold or appearing too certain; we want to acknowledge the room for disagreement or more information on a topic. In other cases, we are unsure whether our message is valuable, so we offer it noncommittally in case others shoot it down.

In both cases, avoiding hedge words will add strength to your message.

If you are afraid of making a point too boldly, remember that there is always a chance that people will disagree with you; however, if you make your point using fuzzy language, your readers might not understand you well enough to know if they agree or disagree.

If you have something valuable to say, say it. If it is not valuable, why say it? But don’t hedge your words with language that makes you seem unsure of your message.

Resist the urge to fatten up your work by hedging your points with namby-pamby modifiers. If your goal is to make your point clearly, why clutter it up with words like very and seemingly?

Notice as you read whether these words add anything to your comprehension other than an uncomfortable sense that the writers don’t stand behind their words.

· just

· by and large

· rather

· seemingly

· somewhat

· kind of

· mostly

· really

· very

· pretty

· little

· sort of

· it would seem

· in some respects

· for the most part

· for all intents and purposes

What is wrong with hedges and modifiers? They block your points. They betray uncertainty. They consume the reader’s time and energy with words that add nothing to your message.

So, for the most part, just be very careful to be pretty clear when you write, because it would seem that when you add hedges to most of your statements, you seem sort of a little unclear about what you are trying say.

​

Call Worktalk When:

• Companies lose customers due to poor messaging from sales and customer service teams;
• Clients complain about communication from professional service firms’ staff members;
• Employees need to humanize the output of AI-assisted writing programs so it doesn’t sound fake;
• Employees need help developing the right prompts for AI-assisted writing programs to generate more effective outputs;
• Employees waste time repeatedly emailing one another because their messages are unclear.

Contact me at lizd@worktalk.com or 310.396.8303.

Did someone forward this Writamin to you? Sign up here.

If you missed the last Writamin on being gruntled that irregardless is a word, find it here.

The post Don’t Hedge appeared first on Worktalk.

A tech executive recently confessed on LinkedIn that he bites his nails during Zoom meetings. He’s been biting his nails all his life, he said, and wanted to share his vulnerabilities. He was acting on the notion that “bring your whole self to work” is a praiseworthy principle. The response was mixed. Some people applauded him for his openness, especially fellow nail-biters, others not so much. Either they succumbed to the ick factor, thought the whole thing was gross, or considered his revelation too much information. The executive’s admission raises an important question, “How much of our authentic selves should we bring to professional lives?” and “What is appropriate to share?”

The authenticity paradox in the workplace revolves around the tension between being genuine and maintaining professionalism. Finding a balance where you can be your true self without overstepping boundaries or making others uncomfortable is crucial. While seasoned professionals often develop a sense of what’s appropriate through experience, younger professionals may need specific guidance to navigate this delicate balance effectively.

Research indicates that individuals with high emotional intelligence tend to express themselves authentically while also being mindful of social cues. Authenticity, in this context, involves being truthful while considering the impact of your words and actions on others. It’s not just about expressing yourself but doing so in a manner that aligns with the norms and expectations of the professional environment.

1. Integrity and Values

Act in alignment with your integrity and values. Authenticity stems from a consistency between your beliefs and actions. Rather than broadcasting every feeling or opinion, demonstrate your values through your conduct. You will earn respect in the process.

2. Respectful Communication

Treat others with respect, acknowledging their perspectives even in disagreement. This demonstrates your authenticity by recognizing shared humanity and fostering positive interactions.

3. Relevance in Sharing

When sharing personal information, ensure its relevance to the situation. While a brief personal anecdote can humanize interactions, avoid oversharing or derailing discussions from business objectives.

4. Mindful Vulnerability

Show vulnerability strategically to humanize interactions. Briefly sharing relevant personal experiences can build connections but remember to maintain professionalism and stay focused on work-related matters.

5. Emotional Regulation

Manage your emotional responses and communication style professionally. Avoid impulsive reactions that may come across as aggressive or unprofessional. Instead, address concerns calmly and offer constructive feedback or solutions.

6. Contextual Awareness

Stay mindful of the work environment and cultural norms. Adapt your communication style and level of personal sharing based on the context to ensure it aligns with professional expectations.

By embracing these strategies, you can navigate the authenticity paradox effectively. It’s about being genuine while also respecting boundaries and maintaining professionalism. Your authentic self can shine through in a manner that contributes positively to work dynamics and relationships without compromising on appropriateness or effectiveness. Remember, authenticity doesn’t mean sharing everything–it’s about being true to yourself while considering the impact on others in the workplace.

Click here to read more articles on bringing your authentic self into the workplace

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The post 6 Ways to Manage the Authenticity Paradox appeared first on Worktalk.

As Thanksgiving approaches, our minds turn to giving thanks (and eating turkey). We might give a thoughtful gift in December, but we can start the holiday season by focusing on the “thanks” in Thanksgiving. Whether you plan to give a holiday gift or not, consider writing a thank-you letter.

A thank-you letter is different from a thank-you note, which is a social nicety that follows a specific event, such as a gift or dinner invitation. “Thank you for the beautiful vase,” or “Thank you for including me in your dinner party,” are the usual fare in thank-you notes.

In comparison, a thank-you letter acknowledges a relationship and the impact that relationship has had on your life. It requires you to dig deeply into yourself and your connection to the other person and recognize how they contribute to you. Doing this demands humility as you admit that whatever success you have achieved, you have not accomplished it alone.

When delivered sincerely, a thank-you letter can give your reader the precious gift of being seen. Many people wander through their lives feeling unappreciated and invisible. By writing a brief message that shows you have heeded their toil, you brighten their spirits. Your letter need not be lengthy as long as it is sincere.

Elements to include in thank-you letters.

• Be specific. Don’t hide out in generalities. Say exactly what the person did to enhance your life. Did they stay late to finish an important assignment? Did they clean up after your team left the conference room a mess? If all you say is, “You’ve been very helpful,” you are not saying much. To demonstrate that you truly appreciate the other person, think of a specific example to illustrate how helpful they have been.
• Share the consequences of their actions. When our coworkers and support staff do their jobs, they might not be aware of how they contribute to the big picture. In your letter, tell them the positive repercussions of their actions. Let’s say that they stayed late to finish a project. Did that project lead to some larger result such as a sale or new initiative? Show them why their actions mattered.
• Use the words “thank you.” If you write, “I appreciate all your efforts,” you are talking about yourself and how you feel. Instead, use the words “thank you.” In linguistics, thanking is considered a performative verb, meaning that simply by using the word “thank,” you have performed the action of acknowledgment. Thanking someone is a real event.

Who should receive thank-you letters?

Start with the people who are least likely to receive acknowledgment during the year–the IT person who magically makes your computer work, the receptionist who starts your day with a smile–even office cleaners, doormen, and other support staff. For these folks, saying something like, “Thank you so much for showing up right away when my computer crashed. You helped me save an important deal!” might suffice. As you move toward the people who are most important in your world, your letters become more focused. Think of your assistant, your direct reports, your key customers, and even your boss: When was the last time you told them how much you value their contributions?

It might seem overwhelming to thank everyone while you’re waiting for the turkey to roast. If you incorporate the idea of writing thank-you letters, you can write them throughout the holiday season. Whenever you decide to share these epistles, both you and your recipients will benefit. You will gain from practicing gratitude, which has been proven to have physical, emotional, and even business benefits. Others will benefit from knowing they made a difference in your life.

The post How to Write a Thank-You Letter appeared first on Worktalk.

The managing director of a large wealth management company recently complained to me that his staff seemed unable to forge warm relationships with the firm’s clients. “They are reluctant to pick up the phone or invite the client to lunch,” he lamented. “Even their emails veer between formal and stilted or breezy and inappropriately casual.” Recognizing the need for improvement, the firm hired me to work with them, and soon, their team showed a greater awareness of practicing the language of connection.

Effective verbal or written communication is crucial for building strong relationships in the workplace. When we write at work, we aim to engage our readers and achieve a specific purpose, such as gaining approval, obtaining information, or fostering collaboration. However, if readers feel that you do not care about or understand them or that you have disregarded social norms they value, their minds may close. Then, you will fight an uphill battle to get your point across.

Here are four ways to build rapport and inspire greater loyalty and satisfaction in your readers.

1. Spell their names correctly

I was coaching a senior accountant at a regional accounting firm, helping him compose a proposal for a prospective client who was leaving their current firm. “Did you ask them why they are changing service providers?” I inquired. “Yes,” he replied. “They said that the other firm consistently spelled their name wrong.”

Losing the client was a blow to the original firm, yet they lost the business through a simple error.

Most of us want our names handled correctly. More important, remember that people generalize. In this case, the client concluded that their accountants did not know or value them, neglected to proofread, and were careless about details. These conclusions led them to jump ship.

Be especially careful about using the right form, particularly if a person’s name is commonly spelled several ways, such as Stephen/Steven, Alan/Allen/Allan, or Kelsy/Kelsey.

2. Open with a comment that shows you know who they are

Open by making a pleasant comment that falls within professional boundaries. For example, if they mentioned in your last conversation that they were taking a cruise, write, “I hope you had a great time on your cruise.” If they recently had a child, say you hope the parent is getting enough sleep.

Let the reader know that you are not simply using them for business purposes. The more the reader feels seen and understood through your opening comment, the more open-minded they will be to your message.

3. Use personal pronouns such as I, you, and we

Business writers often default to fall into using the third-person pronouns rather than using the more colloquial and humanizing tone of the first-person, second-person, and first-person plural pronouns.

Writing “The firm has changed its policies” sounds formal and cold. “We have changed our policies” sounds like you are taking responsibility for the change. Similarly, “Clients are urged to change their passwords regularly,” sounds stuffy. Instead, you could write, “We recommend that you change your password regularly,” which sounds like friendly advice.

4. Match your reader’s tone

Be aware of your readers’ age, educational background, job role, and English proficiency, and write with words that suit the individual reader. Avoid starting emails with “Hey,” which many people find maddening. However, if they always address their emails to you with “Hey,” you can match their style.

If writing to a non-native English speaker, avoid idioms. “We’ll have to tear the Band Aid off” is meaningless to a foreigner. Similarly, saying “It’s raining cats and dogs” conjures confusing images.

Instead, use clear and direct language that is easy for all readers to understand, regardless of their cultural background.

These are just a few examples of ways to build bridges with your colleagues and clients when you write to them. Of course, the best way to connect with other people is to actually care about them, and show them with your language.

Click here to read more articles on Building Relationships with Language

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