Grammar is my thing!

Confession time—I am borderline obsessive when it comes to my choice of words, sentence structure, punctuation, syntax, and the use of proper grammar when I speak and write, and I apply this same lens to all the content and messaging our company creates. Perhaps this predilection stems from my prior career as an educator, correcting many papers, emphasizing the power of effective speech, and trying to positively impact my students by empowering their communication skills. This compulsion is a habit I can't—and don't want to—break.

I admit this habit is time consuming. It causes me to slow down, read my emails multiple times before sending, and develop work flows in the office in which multiple sets of eyes check any important communication before it heads out the door. As a team, we try to catch errors before they go live, reducing risks, and enhancing the positive impact of our communications.

A well-crafted, articulate, and precisely-worded email, presentation, or conversation doesn’t just share information—it conveys one’s level of competence, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence. Conversely, poor spelling, misplaced punctuation, or sloppy wording can raise doubts about one’s professionalism, even if the individual’s expertise is undeniable.

Over the years, my colleagues and I at Slone Partners have built a culture where clear and polished communication is not just a preference; it's an expectation. We all understand the value of communication with clarity and purpose. Our communications with clients and candidates are critical. Every engagement plays a significant role in building trust and nurturing our longer-term partnership. We seek to demonstrate through our words and actions that we care about the details, delivering value, and treating each interaction with professionalism and respect.

If there's one takeaway I’d like to share, it's this: don’t underestimate the power of words and grammar. Whether it's a simple email or a high-stakes boardroom presentation, never rush. Take the extra moment to review, refine, and perfect your messaging. Think it through and read it through several times. It's one of the easiest ways to build credibility and trust, inspire confidence, and set yourself apart as a thoughtful professional and an upstanding company.

Fair or not, people make judgments and decisions not only by what you say but by how you say it—and that can be the difference between a good impression and a missed opportunity.