Here’s a common question, but it’s confusing and vague:
“Would you mind?”
For example, “Would you mind getting the report in a day early?”
Seems like a basic question – but how do you handle the answer, “Sure!”
Lots of times, it goes like this:
“Sure… sure you’ll do it, or sure you’ll mind?”
“What?”
“Like, was that a ‘sure, I’ll do it’ or a ‘yes, I mind, so it’s really a no.’?”
“No, it’s a yes. I mean, yes I’ll do it. A day early. I don’t mind.”
“Oh, okay.”
Confusing, and almost tense. If you were trying to be efficient, you’ve blown it by slowing things down.
Like so many other things to avoid saying, try substituting this phrase:
“Will you please…”
As in, “Will you please get the report in a day early?”
It’s clearer, less passive-aggressive, and has a polite word in it.
Try ditching, “Would you mind” by replacing it with, “Will you please?”
joel
Hey Alan,
Always love your short emails! I recently heard a speaker-friend of mine say, “Never use ambiguous language; would, could, should, maybe…” I love that statement, and than you for today’s addition.
My best,
Joel