C is for Cryptic

People who love cryptic puzzles have great fun solving riddles. On the other hand, cryptic business communication is frustrating, time-wasting and no fun at all.

Our advice on cryptic communication is to take the initiative. Just asking for “clarification” gets you nowhere. Instead, it’s you who must think up the clues to solve the puzzle.

Cryptic requests

Example: Message from the Executive Assistant: “Supermarkets MD wants the sales data for the last quarter for the Arlington store.”

Requests like this are a riddle because they lack detail. There are multiple aspects of sales data in supermarkets. To minimise time and preserve your sanity, offer clues that solve the riddle quickly.

You ask: Which specific sales data does the MD need?

• Total sales?
• Sales by time period (daily, weekly, monthly etc.)?
• Sales by category?
• Sales by specific products?
• Sales by customer basket?
• Sales by loyalty card holders?
• Sales by weekly promotions?
• Comparison sales with earlier reporting periods for the store?
• Comparison sales with other stores for the same period?

Cryptic statements

Example: In regard to the survey on the proposed upgrade of the Arlington Street playground, 30% of people were opposed to the proposal and 20% rejected the proposal outright.

Statements like this are a riddle. While the writer knows what they mean, the statement is ambiguous to readers. Two interpretations are possible. Before responding, find the correct interpretation of the statement — what are the facts?

You ask: Does the statement mean that:

1. Altogether, 50% of people were opposed to or rejected the proposal outright? or
2. 30% of people were opposed to the proposal and 20% of the opposing group (6% in total) rejected the proposal outright?

What this means for your communication

Once you begin to spot cryptic orders, requests, assertions and statements, you’ll find them everywhere. It’s up to you to take the lead in solving the riddle. Don’t expect the solution to come from anyone else.