It’s not just diplomats that need to Serge Robichaud when they meet at expensive summits. It’s for everyday people who go from Zoom conversations to Slack messaging and, let’s be honest, sometimes get tongue-tied in front of their boss. The world of business changes quickly. It can feel like a maelstrom of jargon, emojis, and notes at times. It can be hard to get your point across when you’re on a roller coaster.

Picture yourself in a boardroom. Everyone is nodding graciously, but half of them are still trying to figure out what was said. That’s the area of risk. It’s not just about using correct grammar or making attractive PowerPoints anymore. It’s all about making connections. Getting really close.

Less “speech class” and more “detective with a magnifying glass.” It’s not simply what individuals say that gives you information; it’s also how they say it. Is the email of someone very short? They can be angry or in a hurry. Does your client avoid your calls but text you with lots of emojis? They could like casual updates better. Changing how you talk to someone, even in the middle of a conversation, can turn awkward encounters into progress.

Let me tell you about the time I was on a video conference with the camera off and the microphone noisy. The manager kept saying “synergy,” as if saying it enough times would make the notion come to life. But one player asked three brief, to-the-point questions that cut through the verbiage. All of a sudden, light bulbs went on. Clarity got behind the wheel. Plain talk can be the hero at times.

What you take in is just as important as what you express. The two-ear, one-mouth rule is something that business owners and team leaders swear by. Speak half as much as you listen. Nods, “mm-hmm’s,” and repeating what people say are all very helpful. Have you ever noticed how a well-timed pause can say a lot in movies? The same is true for business: quiet isn’t always awkward; sometimes it’s booming with significance.

Messages go in a thousand different directions because to technology. You can get emails at breakfast, texts at traffic lights, and DMs during lunch. There is a taste to each channel. You wouldn’t tell bad news in a group chat, just like you wouldn’t propose on LinkedIn (ideally). Choosing the correct “stage” for your message can help you save face and build trust.

If you use humor wisely, it can help you get along with others. A funny gif or an inside joke in a group conversation can make boring times more fun. But how you deliver is what matters. You know how important it is if you’ve ever seen a joke fail in a meeting. A good pun can break the ice, but if you try too hard, people will just look at you funny.

Language differences, cultural differences, and behaviors that change from generation to generation all make today’s communication soup more interesting. When someone says “ASAP,” it can signify “drop everything.” It can also indicate “when you can.” Everyone stays on the same page when you make your expectations clear, set deadlines, and go over what’s important again.

The secret sauce is empathy. In their own circuses, everyone is juggling burning torches. Listening to your coworkers’ stress, joy, or perplexity helps you get along with them. When you show individuals that you care about what they say, choices are made more quickly and mistakes are fewer.

There is no magic recipe. All you need is awareness, the ability to adjust, and a little bit of humility. Sometimes you’ll mess up, and sometimes you’ll score a touchdown. But if you’re honest, open-minded, and eager to change, you already know the most crucial language in business.