A Case Against Using the Word 'Interesting'
Why eliminating filler words such as 'interesting' promotes transparency, cleaner communication, and healthier relationships.
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A Case Against Using the Word 'Interesting'
Why eliminating filler words such as 'interesting' promotes transparency, cleaner communication, and healthier relationships.
In the ever-evolving digital landscape that we live in, the age-old wisdom of "less is more" takes on heightened importance. The constant barrage of messages, content, and emails can make it challenging to discern what truly deserves our attention. This post aims to champion the philosophy of doing more with less, urging readers to embark on a journey of linguistic refinement by eliminating the word 'interesting' from their vocabulary.
To build this case, we'll draw parallels between doing more with less in business by exploring the perspectives of Wall Street, Silicon Valley, and startup environments.
So, without further ado, let's dive into it.
Growth by Subtraction in Business
Understanding the essence of doing more with less requires a review of how startups, Big Tech, and Wall Street approach growth.
Starting with early-stage Founders, entrepreneurs face the relentless challenge of growth for survival. In a perpetual cycle of building, shipping, delivering, pivoting, and managing, they navigate the business terrain with limited resources, constantly striving to outperform larger competitors who are often bigger, faster, and stronger.
As startups gain traction, the trajectory diverges—either running out of capital or scaling to the next phase. For those that reach the scale phase, a paradigm shift occurs in how companies operate. At scale, startups often pivot from cautious growth to an aggressive pursuit of maximum expansion.
Why is that?
Growth At All Costs
A decade ago, venture capitalists endorsed a growth-at-all-costs mindset, even if that growth wasn't profitable. The aftermath of the pandemic prompted a reassessment of that thinking across Wall Street and Silicon Valley. The repercussions of rapid growth have been felt across the economy, with layoffs, bankruptcy, and a dearth of IPOs.
The list of affected companies who conducted layoffs in 2022 is staggering, featuring well-known names such as Spotify (1,500 employees, or 17% of its workforce), Amazon (9,000), Salesforce (10%), Microsoft (10,000, 5%), IBM (3,900, 1.4%), Google/Alphabet (12,000, 6%), Disney (7,000), and Facebook/Meta (10,000).
Over 5,000 companies have announced layoffs over the last twelve months, in part because of the combination of an abundance of money, the cheap cost of capital (low interest rates and high valuations), and VC mandates to expand quickly without a focus on profitability.
How might any of this relate to this week’s post? Just as technology startups pivoted from growth at all costs to growth by lowering costs, so too should we reconsider our use of non-words, notably the word 'interesting.'
Stop Using the Word “Interesting”
The reasons are straightforward. Removing 'interesting' from our vocabulary promotes transparency, cleaner communication, and healthier relationships. The term acts as a filler—noncommittal, devoid of conveying true sentiments or feelings. Whether expressing approval or disagreement, vague words like 'interesting,' 'intriguing,' 'fascinating,' or 'surprising' obscure the speaker's true stance. This lack of clarity can be perceived as a lack of respect for ideas and hinders meaningful engagement.
“That’s interesting” falls short of what I believe to be true communication. This type of non-connecting language surfaces when respect is lacking. At its best, ‘that’s interesting’ is inefficient; at its worst, it's patronizing.
The solution? Eliminate filler words and embrace language that conveys meaning, emotions, and respect—words like “I like/dislike,” “That’s a good idea. Here’s why,” and “I don’t agree, but let’s find another solution.”
Removing “that’s interesting” from our vocabulary fosters transparency and eliminates the need for the listener to seek clarification. It conveys the speaker's intentions openly while also exhibiting trust, respect, and authenticity. Direct communication increases the odds of improving relationships, be it in the workplace, at home, or with friends.
Conclusion
The growth-at-all-costs mentality that once dominated venture capital has left a trail of casualties, with companies succumbing to layoffs, bankruptcy, and dissolution. Similarly, the pervasive use of non-committal words like 'interesting' in our daily discourse conceals true sentiments, fostering inefficiency and, at times, patronizing communication. By removing filler words such as ‘interesting’, we unlock the potential for transparency, cleaner communication, and healthier relationships.
In essence, the call to stop using the word 'interesting' goes beyond linguistic advice; it is a plea for authenticity. Embracing straightforward communication cultivates a culture of genuine dialogue and respect. By substituting vague terms with specific language that conveys emotions, we dismantle barriers to forging deep, meaningful connections.