Boost Credibility by Avoiding this One Question | @ShadeZahrai #shorts

Have you ever ended with "Does that make sense?" after you’ve shared an idea or suggestion?

Here’s why you want to rethink that approach…

When you ask “does that make sense?” after you’ve shared something it can undermine your perceived credibility for two reasons:

1. It could come across as condescending, implying that the person being spoken to may not have understood something, and can make them feel belittled or dismissed, or

2. It could plant a seed of doubt that perhaps your idea doesn’t make sense. (Read that one again…)

(This is especially a risk if you’re already in an environment where your credibility is questioned e.g. a minority, a woman in a male-dominated environment, a person of color or already lacking confidence).

Instead, try encouraging input, thoughts, or offering an opportunity for clarification.

And, don't just wait for them to engage, encourage them to engage! Why? Because this approach shows that you're confident in your idea, and it encourages active engagement.

And when people are engaged, they're invested and that's when real progress is made.

Here are some examples of what to say instead:

OPTION 1. Ask an information gathering question
• “What are your thoughts on that?”
• “Do you need me to clarify anything?”

OPTION 2: Convert to a statement
• “Let me know if you have any questions.”
• “I’d like your input on this.”

So, next time you have an idea, don't ask for validation.
Ask for input and thoughts and be open for questions.

What are your thoughts on this?

_________________

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[ShadeZahrai]

When you ask “does that make sense?” after you’ve shared something it can undermine your perceived credibility.
(This is especially a risk if you’re already in an environment where your credibility is questioned e.g. a minority, a woman in a male-dominated environment, a person of color or already lacking confidence).

Instead, try encouraging input, thoughts, or offering an opportunity for clarification.

And, don't just wait for them to engage, encourage them to engage! Why? Because this approach shows that you're confident in your idea, and it encourages active engagement.

Here are some examples of what you could say instead:

OPTION 1. Ask an information gathering question
• “What are your thoughts on that?”
• “Do you need me to clarify anything?”

OPTION 2: Convert to a statement
• “Let me know if you have any questions.”
• “I’d like your input on this.”

So, next time you have an idea, don't ask for validation.
Ask for input and thoughts and be open for questions.

[stevebnd]

Watching Shadé lectures makes sense and she is a youtube SENSE - sation 🎉

[everodedwards]

Thanks for being consistent in sharing these thoughts. Consistent in your modesty.

[radkumar]

I always thought it sounded condescending. Thank you for this insight, glad my instincts were right!

[dheeranvinoth]

I don’t have a formal education on corporate language and these videos are a gem for me. Thank you

[scottg]

THANK YOU! It makes me nuts when people do that.

[vvr]

This really does make sense!

Thank you for sharing.

[alatheiamarie]

Wow I really appreciate knowing this. I have a really bad habit of saying "does that make sense" I'll try to change that now 😂

[sherlockram]

I used to ask does that makes sense all time...thank you for information

[milenaseymour]

Yes!! I find that super condescending!

[joannaainreallife]

wow, thank youu !! It's a reason I came across your page & I have a good feeling ..I'm about to keep flourishing on the path that I'm on !! I can relate to just the little videos I've seen, thank youu for sharing! 🤗🌻💛

[anaanderson]

I say this so much! Making a change now!

[laxmanchaudhary]

You have a amazing communicating skill shade i love the way you speak i will learn from you

[md.hazratali]

YOUR voice is very much clear to understood this videos concept ♥

[j.macjordan]

I studied formal logic & some of the most impenetrable Philosophic works ever written -- this is common for Graduate level Philosophers. When I say "does that make sense?" after I've shared something, it's because I am fairly certain the other individual is struggling to digest what I've shared; no one instantly grasps complex Philosophy after their first exposure to it. I don't want their input, their views, or their thoughts on what I've shared -- to give this sort of impression, that they should have fully understood on first exposure, that is likely going to come across as condescending or as arrogance & could be discouraging causing others to doubt their ability to grasp what I've shared & that Philosophy requires an ability of individuals simply do not possess. "Does that make sense?" is asking the individual to respond according to the manner in which they learn best -- it leaves the field open for the individual to ask specific questions or to compare & contrast with what they're associating the concept with or to just restate in their own words what their first understanding of the concept happens to be with an expectation that I will help them revise the areas that are tripping up their full understanding of the concept. The idea I present will be valid & well-vetted for a high degree of soundness by the mere context of me sharing something.

[viki]

I admire your voice ✨ your voice is so damn good to give a good speech...:⁠, ⁠-⁠)

[georgerarasea]

I am confident that you will be my personal professional psychologist by October 2023 this year :-)

[siadat]

I literally suggested the same thing last year in a document at work

[ngboonchan]

Dear 💐Shade',
All is good when we learn 🔝
Expressing🔛 in full wisdom.🎓

Thank you.🏆

[MrMR-tply]

The problem with this approach is that it’s 100% ineffective with more technical positions where engineers need to know specific details and the liability upon which you use emotional language to sidestep direct measurements of very sensitive equations is too high. I prefer to grow as a team where we can ask direct questions and get over the the possible offences in language. Trust me. This only works in high business level meetings and not technical positions.