We have created an in-house glossary of “trigger words.” When we hear them, we smile as if hearing an inside joke. For your enjoyment, here’s our running list:
“No.” Everyone in my life, especially my two adorable children, knows this little word raises the hair on my neck. While we cherish argument and spirited discourse, “No” does little to build consensus.
“But.” Another little word, similar to “No” above. If you’ve been reading these essays, you can easily understand how “Yes,….And” is preferable to “Yes,…But.” “But” is a conjunction we try to replace with “And” whenever possible.
“Unequivocal.” I remember taking the SAT in high school, and one of the tricks we were taught was to challenge the veracity of questions or statements featuring the word “Always.” Today our trigger word is ”Unequivocal.” When we hear an unequivocal assertion, we know to consider alternatives.
“No Problem.” When we hear this, especially from our contracting partners, our ears perk up, and we think we may, indeed, have a problem. “No problem, it will happen first thing tomorrow.” Really? Or, as Danny Meyer, says in Setting the Table, “No Problem” is no substitute for “You Are Welcome” as a response to “Thank You.”
“Change Order.” If we were to ask most clients, what was most challenging during their project, I would expect to hear “Change Orders” near the top of the list. Nothing puts owners and contractors at odds more quickly than late or unexpected change orders. Notwithstanding, most change orders are based on additional work or unforeseen circumstances, not changes, and all change orders are reviewed for appropriateness by our office before being approved, so change orders should not be so confrontational. In response, we are finally making headway at replacing the subject line of our contractors’ paperwork to read “Additional Work Authorization” rather than “Change Order.”
“I Mean You No Disrespect,” and “Respectfully,….” While not unequivocally true, when someone attempts to soften a blow with either of these introductions, we are prepared for an opinion wildly divergent from our own, and my guess is that the next statement will not be proffered respectfully. We consider the “respect” intro as nothing more than a little white lie clueing us into a low regard for our position.
“Constructive Criticism.” Usually prefaced with “May I give you a little….,” We’ve found little to be constructive in such offers. Such invitations usually trigger our own form of response: “So Noted.”
“To Be Honest.” Prepare yourself for a course correction or even a dose of “Constructive Criticism.”
“I Don’t Want to Point Fingers.” Then please, don’t.
“From My Perspective.” I disagree, but maybe not objectively.
“I Strongly Disagree.” A number of years ago, an associate, a client, and I were all discussing the cost effectiveness and cost benefit of a specific floating counter detail and after a spirited debate, the client and I voted for the simpler, more durable, and less costly detail. Our frustrated associate, blowing off some steam, blurted out, “But,… I Strongly Disagree.” Adding such emphasis did nothing to sway or change the asked-and-answered decision, and most importantly, did not reflect well on our young associate. “I strongly disagree” always reminds us of the Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson’s famous exchange m A Few Good Men. “Grave danger?” “Is there another kind?”
“I’m Not Trying to Argue.” Good luck trying not to fight back.
“Impossible.” Just another challenge to overcome.
“I Don’t Like Surprises.” Unanticipated costs and delays often result in such a comment, yet the subject is rarely addressed when savings or efficiencies are discovered. “But you do like good surprises, no?”
“Asshole.” It’s ok to curse, especially around construction sites, but we do try our best to keep salty language out of emails. This would never had made the list if it doesn’t occur now and again.
“We Are Going in a Different Direction.” Can this mean anything other than we like someone else more, or we can’t afford you?
And finally, “One More Thing.” Just as the meeting is breaking, rarely do we find that ”one more thing” introduces only one more subject. Anyone up for pizza?
“One Quick Question.” See “One More Thing.”
“In Progress.” A frequent answer to a status update inquiry, usually implying “not much is happening.”