Sep
14
Never Ask ‘Does That Make Sense?’ – Jerry Weissman – Harvard Business Review
ByOne trend I’ve noted recently is the expression, “Does that make sense?” often used by a speaker during a conversation — or a presenter during a presentation — to check whether the listener or audience has understood or appreciated what the speaker has just said.
via Never Ask ‘Does That Make Sense?’ – Jerry Weissman – Harvard Business Review.
Good post on filler words from HBR. I’ve noticed that I’m using “does that make sense” more now than I used to. I’ll watch for it! You should too.
As an avid Toastmaster for several years, I’ve heard constant criticism of crutch words – “uh’s”, “uhms”, “you know” and even semi-meaningless expressions like “Does that make sense?”
I’ve had plenty of time to think about it, and my conclusion is that crutch words are really small potatoes. Unless you are saying “Does that make sense” constantly to the point that it is distracting from your message to the audience, there are much bigger fish to fry. Even Obama, widely considered an impressive orator, uses crutch words frequently!
How many presentations have you sat through where the presenter is so disconnected from the audience, prattling on about things that no one understands or cares about? Those speakers could stand to pause and ask their listeners if they are following, how refreshing that would be!
If you’re referring to President Obama, his crutch phrase is “Let me be clear!”.
I wasn’t but you’re right; that is his filler phrase.