Using Profanity?

Using Profanity?

Whether we want to admit it or not, we are constantly selling something.  Even if we never sell a product or service as a career, we are constantly selling ourselves.  The best way that we sell our ideas and thoughts are through words, so the words that we choose are extremely important.  After a while, part of our personal brand is tied up in the words that we use. The bigger the following and influence we gain, the more powerful our words become and the more meaning we bring to specific words.  

With that said, I believe that using words that some would deem “foul” should be used sparingly.  I feel as though if someone is masterful at connecting with another human-being or even a large audience, they will be able to do so using typical language and won’t need to rely on taboo words as a crutch.  I remember listening to an interview with Jerry Seinfeld a couple years ago that gave me an interesting perspective on offensive language. Seinfeld, who is arguably one of the greatest stand-up comedians of our time, talked about why he doesn’t use profanity and his reasoning was that he wanted to fight to be at the top of his game.  He said that by using foul language during his stand-up gigs, it was like cutting corners and he needed to bring more creativity to his shows to get laughs. I’ve adopted a similar mindset. If we have a great vocabulary and understand how to speak with power, conviction and passion, we won’t need to overuse foul language. With that said, I do find it acceptable in certain cases to use offensive language for shock value and to keep people on their toes.  Although, if these words are overused, the listener will become numb to them and it won't have much of an impact.

Gregory Spiller "The Digital Diogenes"

2X #1 Best Selling Featured Author | Technology Swiss Army Knife | BizOps Alchemist | Just-A-Guy-as-a-Service |

5 年

There is a quote that I will paraphrase here: be nice until it's time to not be nice; then destroy them. If profanity is the extent of your vocabulary, then not good. If targeted to the deserving recipient, case could be made to warrant unloading the venom. Assertions can be powerful. In common lexicon of our times, for every Jerry Seinfeld there is also a Gary Vaynerchuk

Matthew Curcio

Director of Employment Supports at Ability Network of Delaware

5 年

I agree. While I do not mind the “Gary Vee” approach, it is not for me. Language is powerful. And if I can persuade you to feel something without being crass or shocking you, I will probably build a longer lasting relationship. I believe relationships change people. Anyone can “sound passionate” by cussing. But anger and disgust are not the only ways to express passion, in fact I would argue more eloquent and inviting speech creates a better and more attractive dialogue between speaker and audience.

Bobby Caddell

Senior Sales Consultant at Chimneys Plus

5 年

I agree, Matt Zaun.? When completely unexpected, profanity may be useful for shock value or humor, but generally speaking, profanity weakens your message and erodes your reputation.

Mitch Douglass

We provide HR solutions that enable your small and mid-sized business to effectively address employee-related concerns and challenges!

5 年

Words matter and ones use of profanity will be what someone remembers of your discussion, meeting, etc... we all slip and say things we wish we hadn’t but using profanity means the user is having trouble articulating his or her message. A point can be made, heard and acted upon without profanity. The gravity of the situation or the excitement can still be made with respectful words.

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