July 18, 2006I’d
Reader Suggestion: I love your newsletter and find many helpful hints. It would be even more helpful if you could give us phrases that use conjunctions. Sometimes I’m not able to fully appreciate your wise words until I convert phrases like, “I would” to
* I’d
which is more conversational.
Meryl’s comment: I make my living helping people notice what they do and pointing out what one might think is “obvious” but isn’t. Your email did that for me. I remember your words as I write. Thanks for the BFO –blinding flash of the obvious.
comment http://www.speakstrong.com/newsletter/category/newsletter/the-powerphrase-of-the-week/
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Meryl,
This weeks Power Phrase isn’t some of your work that resonates best with me, at least not yet.
At my work place other employees and I enjoy sharing and practicing the weekly phrase on each other.
We were a little disappointed when we realized that this weeks phrase wasn’t much of a phrase at all.
Some of the guys who are new to the ‘class’ were critical when they saw “I’d” as the Power Phrase.
I had to have some of the older ones forwarded to them in order to validate the enthusiasm.
Hopefully next weeks phrase will resonate better!
thanks
Comment by Glen — July 19, 2006 @ 4:25 pm
Thanks for your post. Uh oh, Glen, the pressure’s on now! I’ll have to watch myself next week!
Perhaps it would have helped had I explained why I picked the phrase better. Everything I say is open to adaptation, and I thought it was a powerful insight that by using contractions with my phrases, the contributor made it work for her. Some folks might read a phrase and think it sounded stilted and reject the whole idea, but this reader commented on a trend that I found very useful. I agree, it’s unlikely anyone will go up to someone and say
“I’d”
And create a breakthrough. But I thought it was a very valuable insight. Sorry if it didn’t score me any point with the guys…better luck next week. Of course, Or it could be a Zen kind of thing and this one could grow on them…
Comment by merylrunion — July 19, 2006 @ 4:36 pm
I would disagree with using “I’d” when trying to speak powerfully. I would say that adapting Power Phrases to your normal method of conversation is on the beginning skill level of being a Power Phrase user and is a good place to start. In my mind, the whole goal of using Power Phrases is to change your normal mode of conversation so that you can speak more effectively and powerfully. One of the advantages a Power Phrase has is that it helps to give you the upper hand in a conversation. The Reader’s Suggestion says that they are not able to “appreciate” the wise words, which one might interpret as not “understanding.” To me, it seems like the Power Phrase would have just given the speaker the upper hand in the conversation simply because they did not contract their thoughts. (not trying to offend, just my thoughts-I am just a Power Phrase beginner)
Comment by Matt — July 20, 2006 @ 7:14 am
I found the suggestion to be intriguing at several levels. The point was well taken that audience consideration should be primary, but also at issue is whether the language is meant to be formal or informal. “I’d” suggests to me an intimacy where one can roll up one’s sleeves to get something done as a team whereas “I would” suggests crisper, more defined communication. The cadence is slower, the focus is longer. As of late I find myself avoiding contractions in favor of the fuller phrase. It takes the guess work out of the slur of informal communication and the resonance has a stronger feel. Yet the strongest point comes down to what will connect you best with your audience. Thank-you for that refreshingly simple but vital perspective.
Comment by Sandy — July 26, 2006 @ 7:31 pm