Weasel Words

Weasel words. The mere term conjures up a feeling of being indirect or sneaky or misleading. I don't disagree that often they are used to mislead, misrepresent, fill up space, or are mere "empty calories of sentence writing." There are few effective uses of weasel words in technical writing, proposals or transactional business communications.

But let's reframe their use a bit relative to interpersonal communications. Let's consider whether 'diffuser language' (i.e., weasel words) may sometimes be helpful. Diffuser language can extinguish anger, hostility and defensiveness. These words can be used to soften the blow, disarm the attack and lead to peacemaking in difficult situations. Consider these phrase starters:

⇒ Perhaps you could possibly consider...
⇒ Maybe we could think about...
⇒ It seems that it may be worth considering whether or not.....
⇒ Might I suggest that
⇒ Could we potentially give thought to....

How might these be helpful in a difficult conversation with an employee? In a contentious board meeting? When being confronted by an angry client?

I contend that when used to communicate during emotionally-charged conversations, diffuser language can be helpful. What say you? When might you possibly consider diffuser language to have its proper place?

-Mindy Muller, CFRE, President/CEO of CDP

#language #verbiage #weaselwords #diffuserlanguage #conflictresolution #peacemaking#communications