About this quote

Plain speech lowers walls and makes real choices easier. When you stop dressing ideas in fancy words you actually hear what the other person wants. Try saying one short sentence and then wait; people either follow or clarify. Want to shift the mood and get a clear answer? Say something simple.

When to use it

• At a client kickoff when the consultant layers on jargon, I say, "Put that in plain words—what would you actually like us to do?"
• At the family dinner when my teenager gives a long, vague explanation of their plans, I laugh and ask, "Tell me plainly: are you joining us for lunch or not?"
• While tutoring a classmate who answers in textbook language, I tell them, "Say it like you're telling a friend so I know you really get it."
• Reading a bank's dense loan summary, I stop the agent and say, "Use short words and give me the bottom line in one sentence."