Be precise
Today's goal: Replace vague words with dates, numbers and owners.
Vague language feels safe: “soon”, “a few issues”, “should be fine”, “someone is looking at it”. To the listener it sounds as if you either do not know or do not want to say. Precise language sounds confident even when the news is bad.
Look for three kinds of vagueness: time (“soon”), size (“some”, “a bit”) and ownership (“someone”, “they”). Replace each one with a fact. If you do not have the fact, say when you will have it.
“We're a bit behind, there were some problems with the supplier, but someone is looking into it and it should be sorted out soon, hopefully.”
“We're four days behind. The supplier sent the wrong part. Marta is handling the replacement, and it arrives on Wednesday. I'll confirm the new date on Wednesday afternoon.”
Hedges: keep the honest ones
Not every hedge is bad. “The 24th, as long as testing finishes on Tuesday” is an honest condition, and it is useful. “I think maybe probably the 24th” is fog. The test: does the hedge tell the listener something specific about the risk? If so, keep it. If not, cut it.
Today's exercise (10 minutes)
- Step 1
Imagine that one of your tasks will be late. Write down the facts: how late, why, who is fixing it, and the new date.
- Step 2
Record a 45-second announcement.
- Step 3
In the transcript, circle every one of these: soon, some, a bit, a few, should, maybe, hopefully, someone, they.
- Step 4
Record again with a fact in place of each circled word.