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tasmanian_bibliophile's review
4.0
‘Without distinction of speech there is never much distinction of idea.’
`Bendable Learnings' is Don Watson's third book on the theme of management language, following on from `Death Sentence' (2003) and `Watson's Dictionary of Weasel Words' (2004).
Each chapter contains examples of earnest but obtuse phrases taken from particular fields of endeavour including government, education and health. There are also more than enough examples from mission statements and vision statements, from markets and from various musings about strategy to satisfy those interested in or entertained by management-speak. There is also, for those interested, a set of exercises towards the end of the book to reinforce the lessons in each chapter. The irony of this will not be lost on those reading the book.
For myself, I laughed at some inclusions, recognised some, couldn't understand others and wondered how much longer this trend of obscuring meaning could continue. What does this form of expression tell us about those who write it?
Consider:
`But there's always room for future continuous improvement, going forward.'
`Turning right into the carpark is prohibited due to the high risk assessment outcomes'
`Everyone's working to build a synergy downtown, and we're going to need more parking.'
Or the ubiquity of mission statements. These days, everyone needs a mission statement:
`Without one, who would know what your values are, or what your culture is? And how then, going forward, will you get buy-in on your strategy and uptake of your brand?'
Effective communication means that messages are clearly articulated, received and understood. If management language does not constitute effective communication, then what is its purpose? And what does it tell us about the clarity of the thinking of those who use it?
I'd recommend this book to anyone who is interested in management language. There's plenty of amusement here, but also sobering examples of a pseudo-scientific shift in management language which has no relationship to plain English.
What does it mean?
`If you cannot read, this brochure tells you where to get lessons.'
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
`Bendable Learnings' is Don Watson's third book on the theme of management language, following on from `Death Sentence' (2003) and `Watson's Dictionary of Weasel Words' (2004).
Each chapter contains examples of earnest but obtuse phrases taken from particular fields of endeavour including government, education and health. There are also more than enough examples from mission statements and vision statements, from markets and from various musings about strategy to satisfy those interested in or entertained by management-speak. There is also, for those interested, a set of exercises towards the end of the book to reinforce the lessons in each chapter. The irony of this will not be lost on those reading the book.
For myself, I laughed at some inclusions, recognised some, couldn't understand others and wondered how much longer this trend of obscuring meaning could continue. What does this form of expression tell us about those who write it?
Consider:
`But there's always room for future continuous improvement, going forward.'
`Turning right into the carpark is prohibited due to the high risk assessment outcomes'
`Everyone's working to build a synergy downtown, and we're going to need more parking.'
Or the ubiquity of mission statements. These days, everyone needs a mission statement:
`Without one, who would know what your values are, or what your culture is? And how then, going forward, will you get buy-in on your strategy and uptake of your brand?'
Effective communication means that messages are clearly articulated, received and understood. If management language does not constitute effective communication, then what is its purpose? And what does it tell us about the clarity of the thinking of those who use it?
I'd recommend this book to anyone who is interested in management language. There's plenty of amusement here, but also sobering examples of a pseudo-scientific shift in management language which has no relationship to plain English.
What does it mean?
`If you cannot read, this brochure tells you where to get lessons.'
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
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