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?
Thought of something that's not been answered? Ask Us Today!
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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Define Your Key Terms
Define key terms to end vague talk, sharpen clear communication and set clarity you can measure. Use four questions to turn vague hopes into testable plans.
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How To Take Constructive Criticism
Learn how to take constructive criticism calmly, test its truth and act fast. Step-by-step guide turns accepting feedback into self-improvement at work.
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How to Politely Say 'No' to Your Boss
Learn how to say no to boss requests without harm. Use clear reasons, positive replies and set boundaries to avoid work overload and keep good relations.
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What are good communication skills?
Learn good communication skills fast: define unclear words, match audience knowledge and trim data overload. Boost clarity and test yourself in our quick quiz.
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The Importance of Communication Skills
Learn three proven steps to sharpen communication skills: speak with clarity, support each point with fact, and make it matter to listeners so they act.
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Looking for Communication Skills Training?
If you're looking to develop your Clear Communication Skills, you may find this Communication Skills Training Course beneficial:
Open Training Course Pricing and Availability
Next Open Course Running tomorrow in Gloucester (M5 J11), places available