The Most Important Question
The Most Important Question
There is a question that everyone should be prepared to ask.
It is, "When you say that, what do you MEAN, specifically?"
If you say, "I believe in a fair wage, for everyone", then the people should reply, "What do you mean by a "fair wage?"
If you write, "Sam, when you come to the meeting, please ensure you bring with you all the relevant papers".
Then Sam is bound to wonder, "When he says, relevant papers, what does he mean, specifically?"
Stand ready to answer the question, or better still, pre-empt the question, by supplying the additional detail that will remedy any confusion or ambiguity.
Go through your message and identify any words or phrases that have the potential to be misunderstood or mis-represented and then either, reword your message, or elaborate upon your exact meaning.
Failure to properly explain your exact meaning will lead to painful consequences.
If you fail to explain your ideas properly you run the risk of:
- Being misunderstood.
- Being misrepresented.
- Losing your credibility as a knowledgeable person.
- Losing your power to persuade people.
Be ready to ASK the same question.
"When you say that, what do you mean specifically".
When listening to others, don't guess at their meaning.
Don't assume they mean what you think they mean.
If you are not sure about the exact meaning, then ask them to elucidate!
Definition: clarifying question
A clarifying question is a workplace communication technique. It is asked by the listener before action. It points at any word or idea that could be unclear. It seeks a clear, concrete answer. If the listener does not ask, or the speaker cannot answer, the talk can be misunderstood.
Show CG4D Definition
- asked by the listener to the speaker
- targets words or ideas that are unclear or vague
- raised before decisions or actions are taken
- seeks specific, concrete meaning to prevent error
Article Summary
One power question cuts confusion, cost and conflict: ask, “When you say that, what do you mean, specifically?” Clear communication turns vague words into precise action, protects your credibility and saves teams hours of wasted work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that frequently get asked about this topic during our training sessions.
What is the most important question to ask when words seem vague?
Why does asking for clarification improve clear communication?
How can precise language prevent workplace misunderstandings?
What happens if I ignore ambiguous statements?
How do I spot words that need clarification in my message?
When should I ask someone to explain their meaning?
Is it rude to ask “What do you mean, specifically?” in meetings?
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Did You Know: Key Statistics
A 2023 Grammarly Business study found that US firms lose about $1.2 trillion each year because of poor workplace communication, with staff wasting an average of 7.5 hours every week clarifying unclear messages. The 2024 Project Management Institute Pulse survey shows that projects with clear communication hit their goals 88% of the time, while unclear messages raise wasted spend to 11.4% of project budget.About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years' experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
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Further Reading in Communication - Clear Communication
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