1. Direct vs. Indirect Prepared by Paul Jackson Lado Management Consultants

2. Direct language is shorter. Indirect language is longer and more polite.

3. Direct Indirect What's his name? Could you tell me what his name is?

4. Direct Indirect I can't go to the meeting. I'm sorry to say I can't go to the meeting.

5. Direct Indirect Can you help me? Could you help me? Could you possibly help me? I would appreciate it if you could help me.

6. Be indirect when... 1.You want to be formal and polite 2.You need to give bad news 3.You want to soften the tone of a suggestion When should you be indirect?

7. 1. Change a statement to a question. John can contact the client. Can John contact the client? Could John contact the client? I wonder if John can contact the client? Becoming Indirect

8. Handout Part One

9. 1.Change a statement to a question 2.Put a phrase in front of a statement There will be a delay. I'm afraid there will be a delay. It seems there will be a delay. Becoming Indirect

10. Handout Parts Two and Three

11. 1.Change a statement to a question 2.Put a phrase in front of a statement 3.Change a negative word to a positive. That will be very expensive. That won't be very cheap. Becoming Indirect

12. 1.Change a statement to a question 2.Put a phrase in front of a statement 3.Change a negative word to a positive. The quality is very low.. The quality is not very high. Becoming Indirect

13. Handout Part Four