Why Read? (620 Words)

Ok, so the situation is that you have just written an email to your boss asking for a pay rise and have outlined the reasons why you believe you are entitled to one – rightly or wrongly. It is rejected. No problem, time to rewrite it but this time just chance one simple word. Heres how.

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The Magic Word Is Not “Please”

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No, it is “BUT” and you need to remove the nasty little blighter from your vocabulary right now and replace it with the much easier on the tongue and all together more productive word “AND”. This simple and easily applied process will instantly make your arguments hold substantially more weight. I will give you an example.

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BUT

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“Dear Mr Boss Man, I understand that in order to be considered for promotion I need a minimum of 12 months at the company BUT [I thought I would tell you the reasons I think I should be considered for an increase of salary anyway, even though I have been working here only 9 months.]”

In the above sentence look how the word BUT has created negative connotations on the rest of the sentence and have also allowed the use of other less than ideal words such as “thought”, “think”, “even”, and “only”. It gives the effect of an all together unconvincing argument and one I would personally reject as boss. The word “BUT” has lead to a rejection. Now lets change that word [BUT] with [AND] and see how it might lead the sentence.

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AND

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“Dear Mr Boss Man, I understand that in order to be considered for promotion I need a minimum of 12 months at the company AND [ thus believed it prudent to contact you directly AND explain my reasons why a 5% increase in the salary of the HR department AND a flexible working time moved from 8am to 9am would be more productive, more effective and sustainable long term for increasing output across the department with minimum cost.

See the difference. By using [AND] instead of [BUT] one is forced to move the conversation along in a positive manner. Gone are the use of the weak words like “I think or thought”, “even though” and “only” to be replaced by more powerful words of “would be”, “explain”, “increasing output”, “more effective, “more productive”. All words bosses love to hear. If I were the boss in this particular situation I would find it difficult to not AT LEAST give this person a few minutes of my time to explain their position. If they are then able to back up their claims, numerically, to increase productivity with minimal cost then I would find it hard to refuse the request regardless of the compnay rule.

The individual used the word “AND” instead of butt and this lead them to thinking how to benefit others and the company, not just themselves. This approach will always lead to a more convincing argument. “BUT” is a restricting word that makes you shy away. “AND” is a freeing word that forces you to explain the reasons behind your request in more open terms without challenge.

If you still don’t believe try substituting “BUT I” back into the second paragraph to the boss instead of the “AND thus” and without changing any other word see how when you read it the minute you get to the word “BUT” it puts the rest of the sentence into a negative light. In this context, the word “BUT” is creating a challenge between you and the boss. You have these rules BUT I think I know better. “AND” keeps things open and doesn’t challenge. That is why “AND” is more productive.

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“BUT” to “AND” – tiny letter changes, massive difference.

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