The Absent Uncle: Language

So, though many of you that may regularly read my column – and here is hoping there are at least a few of you for my niece’s digital and ink success – I probably need to explain and/or apologize for my regular use of the Webster’s Dictionary.

Language, or more precisely, clear and unambiguous language (and the definition of words) is important to me. Forget double meanings, forget innuendos, and certainly forget doublespeak. (“Oh, I didn’t understand what you said.”)  You can’t parse yourself to success.

In my business career, I believed in telling the absolute truth. If you lost money, you lost money. What is the reason? If we made a bad deal, we made a bad deal. If we screwed up in the process, own it. Not an excuse, not a rationale. Good decision, bad decision. Learn from it. Let’s move on.

So, in my mind the understanding of the meaning of the words in our language is important. Thus, the understanding and use of the actual definition of words used in our conversation (both written and spoken) is critical. And as folks who worked with me understood – clarity is a big deal.

So here we are in this column. What do I say?  

Say what you mean, do what you say. Be honest, be consistent, and be out front. No surprises.

Language is simple. See you next week.