You know what comes next.
Body language, tone, and inflection all shape the message. Deliberate or not.
But it also IS what you say.
You’ll be remembered for using the wrong word. You’ll be forgotten if you don’t choose the right word.
In engineering, the specificity of words is very important. Requirements and design specs, programming languages, and collaboration all require specific words. The words themselves matter.
I’ve spent the last several weeks working on messaging for 4TLAS. It’s hard to find the right words. Even when you’re being intentional and have all the time to do it.
Which makes me realize how important it is to give grace to those who don’t get it right in the heat of the moment.
We expect others to say exactly what they mean, yet we struggle to do it ourselves. We judge quickly, but words are tricky. Because words matter. And so does how we respond to them.
Your message is important, even if you’re just the messenger.
