Jan
18
Speaking Tip: Junk the Jargon
How many times have you listened to a speaker who used specialized, industry specific words or pesky little acronyms that everyone else understood? Did you feel ignorant because you didn’t understand? You aren’t alone. Others in the audience were left in the dark with you.
One assumption it’s OK to make is that not everyone in your audience knows your industry’s special jargon. Use words everyone understands. Every time you catch yourself spewing alphabet soup, take the time to use the words the letters stand for. Use the words at least once, then you can use the acronym. Well… use the words at least a couple of times.
This is true in writing as well. Just today, I received an email newsletter that was filled with acronyms I didn’t understand. I stopped reading. Don’t assume everyone understands your jargon or your acronyms.
Speak to be understood.