Page 64 - The New Articulate Executive_ Look, Act and Sound Like a Leader

THE CONVERSATIONAL APPROACH 55

Greenspan: “Our monetary policy strategy must continue to
rest on ongoing assessments of the totality of incoming informa-
tion and appraisals of the probable outcomes and risks associated
with alternative policies.”

Translation: It’s tough to set interest rates.
Greenspan: “When the Federal Reserve tightens reserve market
conditions, it is not surprising to see some upward movement in
long-term rates as an aspect of the process that counters the
imbalances tending to surface in the expressionary phase of the
business cycle.”

Translation: The Fed’s rate hike tanked the bond market

because of fears of growth and inflation.
Greenspan: “Our long-run strategy implies that the Federal
Reserve must take care not to overstay an accommodative stance
as the headwinds abate.”
Translation: We’ll tighten some more.

The IRS has proved itself consistently capable of taking bureau-
cratic fog to even more astonishing heights. Memos and reports—
like books, newspaper articles, and speeches—should always be
written the way we speak. With that in mind, consider this IRS pro-
posal to improve the agency’s security: “Complete validated Security
Architecture; develop data encryption strategy and issue encryption
Request for Proposal (RFP); pilot External Access Utility (EAU);
prototype Audit Collection functionality.”
Phew, no wonder millions of Americans can’t get a straight
answer from the tax collectors in Washington!
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With the exception perhaps of bureaucrats, language tends to get
simpler as you move up the ladder of any organization. In the board-
room the communication is typically straightforward, unpretentious,