RULE 22: SPEAK WELL

So what does speaking well mean? Am I suggesting you walk around with a snooty voice and say “hice” instead of “house” and “creche” instead of “crash”? Of course not. You can keep your regional accent; that’s not the problem. Look at why we speak—it is to communicate, to convey information—rather than how we speak. Speaking well means getting information across clearly and effectively. It doesn’t matter how you speak, but it does matter that you speak clearly. And speaking clearly means just that—clearly. The things you must avoid are:

• Mumbling—For obvious reasons, people can’t hear or understand you.

• Speaking too softly or quietly—Again, people can’t hear you.

• Using jargon—It’s unintelligible to others outside your department or field of expertise.

• Any sort of speaking that identifies you with a particular group or social class—i.e. youth (trying to use the latest trendy slang or catchphrase), or politically extreme (radical anything, politically correct gone mad, ecologist, vegetarian, or environmentally obsessive), or too obviously belonging to any class system (too poor, too rich, too regional).

• Speaking badly—using “less” when you really mean “fewer”—that sort of thing. If you don’t know the difference, get a grammar book and learn it by heart. Don’t use verbal mannerisms such as “you know” or “like.” Always finish your sentences.

There are four key words to remember to get you speaking well:
• Bright
• Clear
• Pleasant
• Simple

That’s all you need to know. If you use these four, you won’t go wrong, and people will remember what you say and be impressed by your clear, bright speaking voice. Speaking well makes an impact. If you slouch in and mumble your name, people will assume you are underconfident, ill at ease, and barely human—and thus quickly forget you. If you walk in confidently, say your name clearly and with confidence, people will assume you know where you are going, who you are, and what you want—and thus remember you. Speak simply—say directly what it is you want to say and nothing more.

SPEAKING WELL MEANS GETTING INFORMATION ACROSS CLEARLY AND EFFECTIVELY.