Comments on: Obviously…Duh! http://next-element.com/blog/obviously-duh/ Leadership through Process Communication Mon, 21 May 2012 14:12:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Brian Silk http://next-element.com/blog/obviously-duh/#comment-75 Brian Silk Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:28:55 +0000 http://next-element.com/?p=1444#comment-75 Going back to your original word, 'obviously,' it reminded me of the phrase 'no brainer,' as in 'What we need to do is a no brainer,' usually accompanied by a look that suggests that no further discussion is needed. The insinuation is that it is so obvious what is needed, that there is no need even consider that there might be an alternative. I appreciate the other comments, which I will bear in mind. Jeanette's comment about 'solutions,' is interesting and I think there is a tendency to reach for positive-sounding buzz words when trying to sell. The word I think either needs to be understood better or dropped is 'engagement.' It seems to mean so many different things: providing information, persuasion, attention-grabbing, loyalty, as well as two-way open dialogue - the latter being my understanding. If asked what I understand by engagement, I make sure I define it first! Going back to your original word, ‘obviously,’ it reminded me of the phrase ‘no brainer,’ as in ‘What we need to do is a no brainer,’ usually accompanied by a look that suggests that no further discussion is needed. The insinuation is that it is so obvious what is needed, that there is no need even consider that there might be an alternative.

I appreciate the other comments, which I will bear in mind. Jeanette’s comment about ‘solutions,’ is interesting and I think there is a tendency to reach for positive-sounding buzz words when trying to sell.

The word I think either needs to be understood better or dropped is ‘engagement.’ It seems to mean so many different things: providing information, persuasion, attention-grabbing, loyalty, as well as two-way open dialogue – the latter being my understanding. If asked what I understand by engagement, I make sure I define it first!

]]> By: Jeannette Paladino http://next-element.com/blog/obviously-duh/#comment-74 Jeannette Paladino Thu, 07 Jan 2010 03:06:28 +0000 http://next-element.com/?p=1444#comment-74 Among useless words is "solutions." I wrote a blog about this a few months ago. Look at the ads in any business publication and you'll find many companies offering solutions. They even use the word in their company names. Two examples: Innovation Solutions and Tire Company Solutions. But what problems are they are solving? Among useless words is “solutions.” I wrote a blog about this a few months ago. Look at the ads in any business publication and you’ll find many companies offering solutions. They even use the word in their company names. Two examples: Innovation Solutions and Tire Company Solutions. But what problems are they are solving?

]]> By: Look | Next Element Consulting, LLC http://next-element.com/blog/obviously-duh/#comment-73 Look | Next Element Consulting, LLC Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:44:12 +0000 http://next-element.com/?p=1444#comment-73 [...] obviously-duh [...] [...] obviously-duh [...]

]]> By: Janet http://next-element.com/blog/obviously-duh/#comment-72 Janet Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:49:19 +0000 http://next-element.com/?p=1444#comment-72 I agree with Annette 100%. Let me share the zinger I used to get from a VP - "let me unpack that a bit" Yuck! I agree with Annette 100%. Let me share the zinger I used to get from a VP – “let me unpack that a bit” Yuck!

]]> By: Twitted by nextelementjeff http://next-element.com/blog/obviously-duh/#comment-71 Twitted by nextelementjeff Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:50:36 +0000 http://next-element.com/?p=1444#comment-71 [...] This post was Twitted by nextelementjeff [...] [...] This post was Twitted by nextelementjeff [...]

]]> By: Annette Allen http://next-element.com/blog/obviously-duh/#comment-70 Annette Allen Wed, 02 Dec 2009 09:54:34 +0000 http://next-element.com/?p=1444#comment-70 My pet hates are "but" and "however". It undermines the first statement(s) and the listener gets a sinking feeling. It would be more authentic to start with the bad news first and help people deal with it, than what can appear as a false positive, leading up to the bombshell. And if your audience is looking puzzled or bored, ask them if they have any questions before you continue - that's authentic communication! My pet hates are “but” and “however”. It undermines the first statement(s) and the listener gets a sinking feeling. It would be more authentic to start with the bad news first and help people deal with it, than what can appear as a false positive, leading up to the bombshell. And if your audience is looking puzzled or bored, ask them if they have any questions before you continue – that’s authentic communication!

]]> By: Barbara Laskin http://next-element.com/blog/obviously-duh/#comment-69 Barbara Laskin Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:37:03 +0000 http://next-element.com/?p=1444#comment-69 Verbal fillers, in my opinion, are the worst impediments to effective communication. Words like..."like" and "um" and "you know" are enough to drive you mad. They stop communication dead in its tracks. And instead of listening or learning, audiences fidget and become annoyed and start counting the number of times a person utters these useless words. Of course, there is an remedy for verbal fillers. Just shut up! Stop talking, take a deep breathe, and they will slowly, almost magically, disappear! Verbal fillers, in my opinion, are the worst impediments to effective communication. Words like…”like” and “um” and “you know” are enough to drive you mad. They stop communication dead in its tracks. And instead of listening or learning, audiences fidget and become annoyed and start counting the number of times a person utters these useless words.

Of course, there is an remedy for verbal fillers. Just shut up! Stop talking, take a deep breathe, and they will slowly, almost magically, disappear!

]]> By: Nate Regier http://next-element.com/blog/obviously-duh/#comment-68 Nate Regier Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:48:28 +0000 http://next-element.com/?p=1444#comment-68 Nice addition, Tim. Great point about words like Actually and Truthfully. They certainly can serve to diminish what was previously said, regardless of who said it. I'd caution a bit on "let me clarify..." as a substitute. In certain situations it can be helpful. Sometimes the phrase is used when people are feeling frustrated by not being understood. It sends the message, "I'm going to simplify it for those of you who didn't get it the first time around", or "I'm going to say the same thing louder rather than changing my approach for you". Thanks, and keep the comments coming! Nice addition, Tim. Great point about words like Actually and Truthfully. They certainly can serve to diminish what was previously said, regardless of who said it.

I’d caution a bit on “let me clarify…” as a substitute. In certain situations it can be helpful. Sometimes the phrase is used when people are feeling frustrated by not being understood. It sends the message, “I’m going to simplify it for those of you who didn’t get it the first time around”, or “I’m going to say the same thing louder rather than changing my approach for you”.

Thanks, and keep the comments coming!

]]> By: Tim Archer http://next-element.com/blog/obviously-duh/#comment-67 Tim Archer Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:10:37 +0000 http://next-element.com/?p=1444#comment-67 Actually is the word I would add to this discussion. When used repeatedly it diminishes an effective presentation. I would suggest substituting the phrase 'let me clarify' in place of saying 'actually'. Another word that makes our presentations less effective is the word truthfully. When one uses the word truthfully it implies that everything said up to that point wasn't truthfull. There is no substitute for the truth - eliminate this word from presentations. Actually is the word I would add to this discussion. When used repeatedly it diminishes an effective presentation. I would suggest substituting the phrase ‘let me clarify’ in place of saying ‘actually’.

Another word that makes our presentations less effective is the word truthfully. When one uses the word truthfully it implies that everything said up to that point wasn’t truthfull. There is no substitute for the truth – eliminate this word from presentations.

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