Living Compassion Tip -- Week 37

How Clear Are Your Requests?

Have you ever watched a Charlie Brown/Peanuts gang cartoon? All the adults speak in an incomprehensible trombone voice that sounds like "Wau, wau, wau, wau, wau."

Oftentimes when we make a request, it can come out in vague, abstract or ambiguous phrasing. We might as well be speaking in the "Wau, wau" of the trombone voice!

The next guideline for making requests is to use clear, positive, concrete, future-action language that reveals what we really want. Here are some words and phrases that, if left on their own, can confuse the listener and make it less likely that our request will be honored.

"I want you to understand me." Here, the word "understand" can be interpreted different ways.

"All I want is a little help around here!" A clearer request would be to ask for a specific action to be taken. How do you define "a little help"?

"I'd like to know you better." "Better" is another vague word that can cause confusion in the listener. What specific action would help you know the person better?

Mindful Practice for the Week

This week, leave your trombone voice at home! When making requests, put them in concrete, positive, future-action language and be clearly heard. Enjoy your week!