| Using self-directed questions and answers in place of | | | | Perhaps when politicians do this, it's yet another ploy |
| straightforward factual statements is an annoying | | | | to give them a moment to think before they answer |
| new trend, and it's just poor communication. Have I | | | | the question, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. We in |
| noticed a strange new language pattern creeping into | | | | the business world should also learn the art of buying |
| people's speech? Yes. | | | | time before answering --- but there are better ways. |
| Does it make the message any clearer? NoDoes it | | | | If you're asked a question at a meeting, for example, |
| annoy me? Yes, it annoys me a lot!Lately I've heard | | | | you don't need to spit out your answer in a split |
| this strange speech pattern from many public figures | | | | second. There are some simple bridging words you |
| being interviewed on television. When asked to | | | | can use to give yourself a moment to think. The |
| elaborate on a point or provide information, instead | | | | simplest example would be, "Let me think about that |
| of making a simple, straightforward statement, they | | | | for a moment." You could also say, "That's an |
| phrase their message as a question and answer. So | | | | interesting question," but don't overdo that one, or it |
| we get a series like this: | | | | can also becoming distracting. |
| Do we have all the answers? No. Do we still have a | | | | Sometimes the self-directed question can be useful if |
| long way to go? Yes. Are we moving in the right | | | | an interviewer isn't making the question clear. You |
| direction? Yes. | | | | might then say, "If you're asking me if we will be |
| What a silly way to speak. The straightforward, | | | | expanding our product line this quarter, then the |
| natural expression of these thoughts would be, "We | | | | answer is no". This is obviously an attempt to clarify |
| don't have all the answers and we still have a long | | | | the subject in order to be sure you are answering |
| way to go, but we're moving in the right direction." | | | | the right question, and is perfectly acceptable-once. |
| That's much better, because it communicates the | | | | But when a series of factual statements is turned |
| message much more clearly than the gimmicky | | | | into a list of artificial questions, it's just plain silly. Not |
| questions do. | | | | only that, but it soon becomes irritating, and verbal |
| Now this virus is spreading, and I'm also hearing the | | | | irritants make for poor communication. |
| one-person Q&A session from people in the | | | | If you want your message to be clear and forceful, |
| workplace too. I'm tempted to interrupt just before | | | | don't ask yourself questions-just say what you want |
| they answer their own question and say, "I don't | | | | to say. |
| know. I thought you did." | | | | |