12 Apr STRIKE A MATCH
We recently had our activity room retiled. When the contractors arrived, we introduced ourselves and asked what their function was. Two said, “We’re helping Edwin” so we turned to Edwin for budget, schedules and progress. It was their verbs. Help/helping is the universal band-aid for everyone from lawyers to consultants yet serves no one. Therein lies the rub. Use weak verbs, and you are seen as weak and your speech and writing are similarly judged.
Nouns describe what objects look like and where they are, but the essence of language is what they do. It’s about action, and verbs connote action. They are the engines of writing and speaking. If you use passive verbs, the impression of you is just that— passive.
Consider the effect of the following: Passive: “Lanie made a decision.” Active: ”Lanie decided.” Passive verbs also lack clarity.
Active verbs have strength, directness and are more efficient. When you use them, impression management returns to your control and your leadership ability shines. And if you’re relating client anecdotes, active verbs give your solution energy, drive your story forward, and keep an audience engaged. More importantly, you go from a mere helper to an agent of change.
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