It’s Concrete, Not Cement!

So why all the fuss? Why the concern? Simply, we should strive to speak and write accurately. Communication or, more precisely, miscommunication can frustrate the achievement of objectives. As observed elsewhere in this issue, writer Mark Twain noted that the difference between the right word and the almost right word is “the difference between lightning and the lightning bug.”

Careless word usage also causes interpersonal problems and difficult behavior and generates strife within and among various groups, communities, and nations. Clumsy writing and speaking confuse, offend, hurt feelings, discourage supporters, and create adversaries. As Rabbi Joseph Telushkin stated, “Chances are the worst pains you have suffered in life come from words used cruelly.”

By the way, I am not talking about or advocating being politically correct. Frankly, I am not good at that approach. This column simply advocates using words correctly for the sake of communicating.

Effective communication, whether spoken or written, begins with accurate word usage, as in calling concrete concrete and not cement. Effective communication also includes empathetic listening, an understanding of the topic, respect for others and their views, and a positive outlook. While effective communication has many elements, its glue is accurate use of words—understanding what others mean and enabling them to understand your message. Keep that traditional or web-based dictionary handy as you read and listen, and have it and your thesaurus available as you write and prepare presentations.

The next time you begin a project or start work with a new team, define your terms. If one of your deliverables will be a report, draft the glossary early on. I once was a member of an ad hoc team charged with addressing various aspects of “the practice of civil engineering at the professional level.” Immediately, the discussion bogged down because of different views of the meaning of “the practice of civil engineering at the professional level.” Therefore, the group stepped back and focused on defining what that meant and decided it meant “earning an engineering license.” Simple, in retrospect. Recently I started a creativity and innovation project and soon discovered that while I and many others are all for creativity and/or innovation, our understandings of the two words either are vague or vary widely from person to person. Accordingly, I needed to define creativity and innovation and provide examples of each early on if I wanted to communicate with others.

Finally, let’s recognize that as we struggle, especially when writing, to find the right word or to define our terms, we are in effect thinking more deeply and widely about our topic. Conscientious writing disciplines our thinking, as noted by the playwright Edward Albee, who said, “I write to find out what I am thinking.” A few years ago, I was rummaging through old books at a garage sale and thought I saw a book titled Learning to Write. On reaching for it, I realized it was titled Writing to Learn. I suggest that we write to find out what we think and know. William Zinsser, the author of Writing to Learn, said, “Writing enables us to find out what we know—and don’t know—about whatever we’re trying to learn.” Select a topic and start researching and writing about it. Do it long enough and in a disciplined manner, and you will become an expert on the topic.