Be Careful What You Say

“Read my lips, no new taxes”, then a few months later, new taxes were imposed. Remember? How about “I will not be sending American boys 2,000 miles away to do something that Asian boys ought to be doing for themselves”, then sends American troops to the Vietnamese jungles a year after this statement. Top it off with the infamous Joe McCarthy fiasco. These are very powerful statements uttered, but weren’t lived up to. Words are very powerful. They command, they coerce, they form policies, they affect people’s decisions and their daily lives. Hence, we have to be very careful in choosing the words we speak for it may affect others dramatically.
Take the news for instance. One slip on an important announcement can spur indescribable repercussions, especially when the broadcast pertains to safety precautions because of an impending disaster or just plain simple instructions on how to wear a gas mask. Declared wrongfully, it may spell catastrophe.
In the corporate jungle, results may not be as tragic or fatal, but erroneous declarations may trigger similar chaotic situations. It actually may be the correct announcement and information, but if relayed verbally using the wrong words, the end result might not be the one desired.
For example, colleagues within the same department may have coined terms that may sound very offensive to some parties but they regularly throw around as friendly banter. Logic dictates you do not use these terms when addressing a larger audience on the grounds that it may not sound as friendly as when you use it within the confines of your section. You have to choose your words carefully to achieve the impact that you want accomplish, and win the hearts of the majority of the observers, not antagonize a certain segment, if not all, of the targeted demographics.
Now, this does not mean that we minimize our words to the point that we miss the message we want to put across. It is important to infuse the key words in the announcement, speak specific and precise words, not the usual street mumbo jumbo ( some people use this to help the audience target relax), and be straight to the point. People would appreciate more declarations that are straightforward and short. Leverage more on the positive side of your topic. For example, “win more customers” is better than “ruin the competition”.
Always remember, before releasing any communiqué, read it and contemplate on its effect.