Just Say It!

I love to laugh more than just about anything, so I’m a dedicated reader of the daily comics in the newspaper. Yeah, I’m one of the last old timers still getting the paper delivered, but it helps me get my day started off on the right foot.

Now I don’t sit there in a loud guffaw (usually), but a good chuckle can be had on most days and that seems like a good way to start my day. Dilbert’s a good stand-by if all the others don’t come through for me, and Tuesday’s (Sept. 28, 2012) Dilbert was particularly timely.

The Dilbert characters Ratbert and Bob the Dinosaur are sitting at a table:

Ratbert: Let’s talk like idiots.
Bob: Ha ha! You go first!

Ratbert: Slap lipstick on the pig, put a stake in the ground, and view it from 30,000 feet.
Bob: That deliverable is actionable.

Ratbert: Wait … why do I suddenly feel like hiring you?
Bob: And why do I feel underpaid?

I wouldn't characterize it as idiot talk, but if you work anywhere near a corporate-type setting, you know how hilarious that is. If you don’t, you should read Get Fuzzy – those guys are usually good for a smile first thing in the morning too.

There’s been much written and said in the communications field recently about cutting jargon from messages and just saying what you mean, and this strip hit the nail right on the head. The funny thing about jargon is how quickly it seems to catch on.

When was the last time you heard someone talk about “low-hanging fruit” when they meant “the easy stuff?” And how about “space” when they mean “job” or “industry?” The first time I heard someone say, “How long have you been in that space?” I had no idea what they were talking about.

“Solutions” is another popular one. Like, “We’re your corporate printing solutions provider.” What does that mean? Are you a traditional printer? Are you in the copier business?

And the ever-popular, “At the end of the day,” which has many meanings including “When this project is done.” But according to the Office Life’s Ridiculous Business Jargon Dictionary it really means “The speaker would like you to know that he has a profound understanding about what is important and what is not.” Hmm, better watch usage of that one.

Everybody nowadays seems to provide solutions in their space. It’d be cool if they just did their job and provided products and/or services, wouldn’t it?

Of all of that jargon though, the one I like least is “smartest person in the room.” Like the others, it isn’t completely clear, and may oftentimes be a person’s opinion of themselves. In my experience, it’s usually said about someone who’s forceful, opinionated, typically inflexible and oftentimes overbearing – all of which would disqualify this person from smartest if you asked me. I'd say the smart ones are usually inquisitive, open-minded, willing to learn, and value input and feedback.

You’ve probably heard the old saying that, “Two heads are better than one,” right? Unlike corporate jargon/garbage/clutter, old sayings are old sayings for a reason: More often than not, they’re accurate, clear and true! This old saying is especially true when it comes to the smartest person in the room because that person definitely needs more input and feedback.

George Bernard Shaw said, “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” Good communication is ongoing, clear and to the point.

Don’t let your message get confused because you got caught up in jargon. If you have something to say, just say it. Your audience will be clear about what you mean, and you’ll be free from the bondage of confusion and misunderstanding. It may make YOU the smartest person in the room.