Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

A fundamental question of each of us is, “Do I want someone else to understand?” If yes, great effort may be required. If no, keep moving.

I work with other persons. Nothing unique there, but I am fortunate in that most of these others are really smart and are working on the types of things that really smart persons typically work on.

I often attempt to grasp what these really smart persons are doing. They sometimes attempt to have me grasp what they are doing. We both frequently fail at this.

A fundamental question for these really smart persons (and the rest of us as well) is, “Do I want someone else to understand?” Will an explanation cause a listener to say the two-word title of this post, i.e., “What’dya say?”

In non-fiction communication—the area where I and my colleagues attempt to swim—the communicator must take the role of the defensive driver. I will do more than my part or …

I will make it difficult for the reader to misunderstand.

That is easier written than written. The word “easier” is key. It is difficult to meet the above; it requires lots of effort on my part. Is that effort worth it? It is if the answer to the fundamental question is, “Yes.”

If the answer to the fundamental question is, “No.” Then move along with the work and maybe the others will catch on later. If, however, I depend on the others…