“Foil Arms and Hog” is an Irish sketch comedy group I discovered on YouTube some time ago.
In “Back to the Office: When Meetings are No Longer Virtual” you can see just how difficult it is for some people to return to the office after having worked from home for many months.
And you can test how well you understand an Irish accent. If you need help, just listen with subtitles switched on!
I’m happy to be able to work remotely. What about you?
A ‘nominalisation’ is a noun made out of a verb.
According to the plainenglish.co.uk it’s “the name of something that isn’t a physical object, such as a process, technique or emotion”.
Let’s look at some examples.
Verb Nominalisation
investigate investigation
depart departure
remove removal
arrange arrangement
complete completion
introduce introduction
So why should we avoid them?
Similar to passive verbs, if we use them too much, they make our writing sound dull and more difficult to read.
Instead of writing “We had a discussion about the matter”, write “We discussed the matter”.
Instead of writing, “They made a suggestion”, write “They suggested”.
Instead of writing , “He made an application for British nationality”, write “He applied for British nationality”.
Do you see the difference?
Let’s try and make our writing clearer, more direct and concise! 😀
“Conversational narcissists” are people who enjoy hearing themselves talk. They have a tendency to take control of conversations in an effort to turn the focus of exchange on themselves.
If someone does all the talking, the other person feels unappreciated and frustrated.
So how can we maintain a balanced conversation? By asking open questions the other person will enjoy answering—and by listening intently to their responses.
You fear you might be a conversational narcissist? Read this article on the 5 signs and what you can do about it.
“Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.”
Margaret Mead
Let’s remind ourselves that we all have something of value to add to the conversation. So let’s celebrate our uniqueness—but also our imperfections!
Let’s try and use positive words and phrases in our writing. That means stating what to do rather than what not to do, and using words like ‘can’ and ‘be able to’ rather than words like ‘no’, ‘not’, ‘can’t’, ‘unable to’, ’mistake’, ‘regret’, ‘problem’, ‘impossible’ and ‘refuse’.
Negative
Do not hesitate to contact me.
Positive
Please contact me.
Negative
You failed your test. You must try again.
Positive
You may retake the test.
Negative
Don’t walk on the grass.
Positive
Please use the path.
Negative
We can’t deliver your order until Thursday.
Positive
We can deliver your order on Thursday.
Of course, we won’t always be able to avoid the negative, but we can do our best to highlight the positive.
I thought you might like to have this Glossary of Coaching Terms which I found on Performance Consultants (International) Ltd’s website.
We hear a lot about accountability, active listening, gremlins, reflecting and mirroring and so on. These terms are all in the glossary.
Are they terms you use? If so, do you agree with their definitions?
