Introduction

The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.

—Ludwig Wittgenstein

“Meow” means “woof” in cat.

—George Carlin

It’s always dangerous to write a book about language. Should we have said work instead of book, or, perhaps, tome? Is it actually dangerous or merely fretful ? This kind of self-editing and search for perfection can undermine excellence, and even completion.

Thus, we’re after success, not perfection.

Our intent is to provide you with questions, phrasing, responses, and linguistic arabesques that will accelerate your speed, influence others, and gain your objectives. We sometimes consider these approaches the martial arts of language. We don’t mean to be slick or overpowering, just smart enough to use the existing momentum in our favor, even against much larger opponents and interests.

The heart of powerful language is clarity, and we have a huge arsenal of words to potentially apply. But like Michelangelo, who supposedly claimed that he carved the David by taking away everything that didn’t resemble David, our goal is to reduce, to cull, to simplify. The true power of language is to use it sparingly and cleanly, a rapier not a bludgeon.

If you use the techniques that follow, you’ll find that your personal influence and professional success will grow exponentially. We can’t guarantee that because we don’t control your discipline and focus. But we trust you will apply discipline and focus as you find the techniques in the book immediately applicable and highly pragmatic.

We hope we’ve made it clear, short, simple, and useful. That’s our language for success.

—Kim Wilkerson, Cedar Rapids, IA

—Alan Weiss, East Greenwich, RI