We think in language. How we define our thoughts, feelings, pursuits and the way in which we communicate these to the outside world, is all dependent on the vocabulary at our disposal.



In order to properly and healthily reason with oneself, one must have a sufficient vocabulary to do so. This article does not merely deal with effective communication when speaking to others. It is about acquiring the vocabulary to understand one self, one’s goals and objectives and then to communicate this understanding to others in a way that is infectious.

Know how to define yourself

With the right thought vocabulary, one can properly define that which one is feeling at any given time and in any given situation. For example, say we use the word “horrible”, to describe how we are feeling, i.e. “I am feeling horrible”, the first question that comes to mind is, what does “horrible” mean in this context? And secondly, what is the solution to “horrible”? On the other hand, the term “demotivated”, a more descriptive word for an emotion, can help you seek a specific solution relevant to the emotion being experienced, i.e. how can I motivate myself, how can I seek inspiration?

The same can be said when we want to describe a quality standard within a company. The word “strong” for describing a material is ambiguous and does not say much. However, “durable”, “crack-resistant” and “sustainable” are words that would better describe the quality standard of a material. The first step is to thoroughly understand what you want to say before you even begin to say it.

Choose your words wisely and use figures of speech

When choosing your words, be sure to use those who will describe your message best. In this, we need to consider the use of synonyms as well as popular connotations. Think twice before you classify two words to be synonyms. No two words mean exactly the same thing, hence why they exist independently. Connotations of words pertain to the feelings or concepts that we associate certain words with, and so the connotation will have an effect on what you are communicating. To prove this, I will claim that anger and rage are not synonyms. Rage is associated with a fury that is uncontrollable and even violent, while anger is an emotion that does not necessarily portray itself as vicious or violent.

Figures of speech exist because they help the human mind to comprehend intellectual and emotional concepts. Use applicable stories, proverbs, or relevant examples to demonstrate your meaning. When we use such visual cues when speaking, the audience has the opportunity to visualise what you are saying, causing them to, not only understand better, but remember better as well.

Infect your audience

First of all, emotions are contagious; spend a lot of time with a miserable person and you will start feeling down and depressed yourself. Even yawning is contagious. To jump back to the first step of understanding your own message, this is crucial because understanding a topic means being confident about it. Confidence, as well as the lack thereof is something that radiates from a person. Few people can fake confidence. It is this confidence that grab and holds the attention of others.

Professor Richard Boyatzis, Case Western Reserve University, currently employed in facilitating a coursera.com MOOC called Inspiring Leadership through Emotional Intelligence tells us how the brain works when it comes to holding attention.
When we are a part of an audience, the Mirror Neuron networks in the brain get stimulated through a contagious reaction of persons infecting one another emotionally in a matter of milliseconds, at a subconscious level. This activation will have an effect of inflation or deflation on the person’s listening capability. Strong emotions are most contagious such as passion and excitement. Therefore, the final step to communicating like a leader is to display your passion in any means that you know how to. Be excitable and you will excite others.

In closing

If we cannot connect the proper words to the emotions we feel and the concepts we dream up, how can these become a reality. Using the wrong word, due to the lack of knowing a better one, leads to distorted views, misguided assumptions, and plain and simple misunderstanding. Your listeners have to see the vision that you do. They will not be able to see that vision if it is a distorted one in your own mind. You need the vocabulary to ‘draw’ this vision, in detail, and to bring it to life through speaking with confidence and passion.


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Carla van Straten is a Writer for Sound Idea Digital | Carla@soundidea.co.za | Sound Idea Digital l www.soundidea.co.za