On June 10th at 5:22 am EST, the millionth word in the English language was coined, according to Paul J.J. Payack, founder of the Global Language Monitor. With new terms such as financial tsunami, de-friend, and carbon footprint becoming part of our language, “I just cannot imagine any other language offering such opportunities…,” says Simon Winchester, author of “The meaning of Everything: The Story of the Oxford English Dictionary.”
Yet are more words better? Powerful communication comes with simplicity. Shorter, easy to understand words/phrases make for a more powerful message.
“Big” or trendy words can work against our communication. Examples of many words that can be simpler:
- Ask for their consideration – Consider
- In the event of – If
- I’d like to thank you – Thank you
- I’d like to take this opportunity to – Just say it!
- Daily basis – Daily
- I wanted to ask you – ask the question
This week, avoid redundancies and delete words that don’t add to your meaning. You’ll save your breath and your listener will “hear” the message better.
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Today’s blog post is by Lynn Zimmer of the Sales Pro Insider team. Nancy Bleeke is “up north” with her family away from all things that plug into an electric socket.
