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Make your message memorable
THEY SAY the 500 most commonly-used words in the English language have an average of 28 meanings each. When we use a word, we probably know we mean; but do others?
If you want people to act on your words, they need to remember them. For this to happen, you must do three things:
First, choose words that are sturdy and unambiguous. Words that form a clear picture in people's minds are powerful because they direct their thoughts.
Second, explain specifically what you want. Are you unhappy with the way your teenager has washed your car? If so, don't just say: `That isn't good enough - go do it right!' Does the car need to be dried again to remove streaks? Do the wheels need scrubbing some more? The more information you provide, the better able people will be to meet your requirements.
Finally, strengthen your message by saying why it's important. If people understand the purpose of something, how it fits into the overall scheme of things, they're much more likely to `do the right thing.'
KRIS COLE
(Kris Cole is an industrial psychologist, best selling author and seminar leader, who helps organisations achieve peak performance and profitability. E-mail: kriscole@bax.com.au)
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