Sesquipedalianism obfuscates pellucidity
In real-speak, it means “hard words confuse the meaning of things.” And how! In fact, sesquipedalianism and pellucidity are so unfamiliar, even the computer couldn’t find the meaning, synonym or translation — so both terms were underscored red. The propensity to use language to impress rather than to get across is just one of the ways that communication is impaired. Social Intelligence, The New Science of Success, is the latest book of author, “futurist” and management consultant Karl Albrecht. Here, he submits that beyond IQ (intelligence), EQ (emotional intelligence) or SI (social intelligence) — is the key to success at work and in life. The socially intelligent are highly perceptive, with impressive situational savvy and great interaction skills.
It is possible to strengthen SI by working on its five dimensions. One of the most critical elements of SI is clarity or clearness of communications. Clarity is the ability to express our thoughts, opinions, ideas and intentions clearly and effectively. Avoiding pompous language and inane drivel is a step in the right direction. So are improving our vocabulary and harnessing the power of metaphor. Charisma is often a byproduct of clarity and the skillful use of language. It is a rare and often quite effective person who has learned how to use it as a strategic asset.
Before Al Gore became the much-awarded and celebrated advocate of An Inconvenient Truth, he was panned for his oratorical stiffness and inability to express his views clearly. When he was the vice president, he was quoted as saying, “One consequence is that there is an emergent triumphalism among market fundamentalists that has led its adherents to be dismissive and contemptuous of values that are not monetized if they don’t fit their ideology.” No doubt he was extremely intelligent, but the failure to get his ideas across might be one of the reasons why he once introduced himself as, “I used to be known as the next president of the United States.” He has since learned to inject humor in his speeches. Finally, Al Gore was connecting with his audience.
But it’s not just ex-future presidents that can at times be guilty of incoherence. An excerpt from an academic paper published in a well-respected journal written by a scholarly professor of communications reads: “Communication effectiveness is not an uncommon synonym for communication competence. As simple as this criterion seems, it masks several complicated issues. First, communicators may not be conscious of their objectives. Second, being unaware of their objectives means preferred outcomes may be achieved by accident, but attributed post hoc as indicators of ability and effort. Third, and related, effectiveness is akin to power, and thus is an extension of attribution principles of identifying oneself as the locus of cause.”
Huh? What did he say? If you read this transcript three or more times, you’ll probably understand what this communications expert was trying to say. But who wants to read it three times, or even read it at all? If this was part of a revalida for his doctoral dissertation, maybe his choice of words would have gotten him an “A.” But it is ironic that a treatise on communications is so incomprehensible.
To a large extent, audience psychographics determines the vocabulary we use. The more skillful communicators know that command of language and the power to deliver your thoughts require a repertoire of styles. Delivering a speech in front of CEOs from the banking sector will require a vocabulary far more formal than when talking to Avon ladies. The place, occasion and size of an audience are other factors to consider in your choice of words and the tone and style of your delivery.
But even in the day-to-day, regular conversation that we all take for granted, do we say what we mean and mean what we say? As Mark Twain once said, “The difference between the right word and the almost-right word is like the difference between lightning and the lightning bug.” Acquiring “a way with words” can truly be a lifetime vocation. Do we speak too fast, too much or not at all — leaving the listener guessing? Does our voice production — pitch, rate, volume, and inflection — inspire confidence or lack of respect? Do we listen attentively and skillfully to understand others’ points of view?
In the business of communications, it is almost second nature to note the “clarity quotient” of people we meet. A low-register, sexy voice that’s soothing to the ear is easy to understand, while those that are high-pitched, raspy and grating are prone to get dismissed or cut short. Impeccable diction is a big plus. The tone of voice can be skillfully manipulated so that the same word can have different meanings depending on the situation. For example, the word “yes” said in long form with a nod — “Yessss!” means satisfaction; said curtly with one raised eyebrow, “Yes!” means make it short; while said calmly with a question mark — “Yes?” — means tell me, I’m all ears.
The late CEO of a big agency was very proud of his personal success story. He told everyone of his climb to the top. He started as a janitor and eventually became the head and owner of a major ad agency. Unfortunately his mastery of English and diction did not rise to the level of his promotion. There were many funny anecdotes about him, which I thought were exaggerations until I experienced it firsthand. I saw him at a restaurant and he greeted me warmly, “Wow! I almost did not know you!” I decoded that to mean he almost didn’t recognize me. Then he proceeded to ask if I was involved in any civic action. I asked, like what? He said, “I’m a kuriman myself.” Thoroughly perplexed, I asked if kuriman was like Rotary or Jaycees. He looked at me in disbelief and exclaimed, “You don’t know Kury? Kury Akinu?” I don’t remember how I managed to continue the conversation with a straight face. He must have wondered which planet I lived on not to know our beloved President Cory Aquino.
A Buddhist teaching admonishes, “Don’t talk unless you can improve on the silence.” We all know a few people who seem to be afflicted with the foot-in-mouth disease. We have been in social situations where someone said the perfectly wrong thing at the absolutely wrong time. Like this rather loud guest who elbowed her way to her hostess’ circle and blurted, “Lovely Manolo Blahniks! So you still caught the 70-percent-off, ha!” When she saw the face of the hostess turn red, she attempted to save the situation by saying, “Oh, but only you can get away with last season’s Escada Size 2.” The incident ended the shaky friendship. Careers and relationships can become terminal with the foot-in-mouth syndrome. Sometimes, keeping silent is the best way to keep the peace and the friendship.
We live in a world of words. But only a few understand the power of language to channel thought and expression. Often, words flow out as a stream of disorganized information. A brain “dump” of conversations, arguments and points of view lost in the chaos of presentation. Sometimes, saying less accomplishes more. That’s why skilled salesmen know when to stop talking. Or why some persuade by offering a seed of an idea and allowing the other to own it. Letting others make the point and connect the dots can win them over to your side.
There are many other semantic dysfunctions that threaten clarity. It will require two or three more columns to make sure we recognize all the symptoms and help us acquire a higher level of social intelligence. For now, here are two more words we should never use if we want to be understood: “eschew obfuscation.” Ironically, it means “avoid confusion.”
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