Are you confused by the use of some words?

Yes, we hear politicians saying, ‘I want to be clear.’ But are they being honest or are they just trying to use their words to get us to believe they are being clear.

It is my feeling that words can be shallow, and to make myself clear (okay poor joke) my definition of shallow means not showing serious or careful thought. Let me give you a couple of everyday examples;

• I am against poverty, and
• I am against homelessness.

Tell me, who is not against poverty or homelessness?

No matter your character or political stripe, I have not met anyone who is hoping people become impoverish or homeless. It is ludicrous to think that a human being would want a member of our society to become poor or homeless.

Again, words can be shallow.

This leads to the newest slogan; ‘affordable housing.’ Can anyone tell me how a person living in the street in a city can afford any housing? To me, if they are living in the street it means that they are usually without finances or the opportunity to earn money to get them into any housing.

Again, words can be shallow.

What about another phrase; ‘food insecurity,’ what does that really mean? Did you notice that it is only talking about food? Are there reasons they cannot afford food/groceries and have to go to a food bank? A thought, could their cable, cellphone and internet charges be too high for them and coming out automatically out of their bank accounts be having a great impact on their financial stability?

Again, words can be shallow.

The last word I am going to address before I move on to how this relates to business is the word ‘inequality.’ Does this mean the same to you as it does to me? I doubt it! This is because we were both brought up differently and are affected by different situations in our lives, and that in turn impacts us in how we define the words we use.

Again, words can be shallow.

I believe it is an individual responsibility to improve the words we use not only in everyday experiences but in business. Consider the following;

• Cross-functional project
• Low-hanging fruit
• Trim the fat.

If you don’t improve the words you use, who is the one that loses?

It is you my friend! This is because if you don’t improve or define your words better you will not form connections with those you truly need to have communication with.

To conclude;

• What is one word that you use that is shallow?
• What can you do to improve it for others?