The Beauty of the "herb crusted salmon!"

YIKES!!! I never followed up on my promise from June 7th to provide an alternative and stronger communication to "let's grab a bite."

Let's try this again, but with the words and power needed to fulfill the communication goal: scheduling a nice dinner with my wife.

The key ingredient to success in communication is burning the mental calories needed time to paint a picture of future success with your words. Based on that, here's what's stronger than "let's grab a bite."

"Honey, I've missed you. I want us to go out on a special date. Instead of heading to the usual places nearby, let's go to the little bistro you love...the one that's a converted house.

I know you delight in the herb crusted salmon they serve. I'll call the restaurant right now from my Blackberry and make sure they put aside a portion of the salmon just for you.

I'll get the pasta and broccoli that's so colorful and fresh. We’ll split a big bottle of San Pelligrino on ice. I'll make sure the restaurant reserves a corner window table for us, with a little votive candle on the table cloth, After that we'll walk across the street to Starbuck's and get a couple of cups of fresh decaf and something sweet and light for us to share. I want us to have a great date tonight. Will you go out with me?"

That’s a 151-words longer than the “grab a bite” request, but it’s worth the effort. The word picture of the candles, the mineral water, the great meal and the second half of the date gives this communication much more impact than the cool and efficient “grab a bite” request.

Please don’t focus on the word picture itself in this example. I know the “herb crusted salmon” is right for my wife, but may not be for many significant others.

You may even think it’s over the top…like, puking over the top. Or you may think it indicates a sense of guilt for whatever reason, about the recent road trip.

The rightness or the wrongness of “herb crusted salmon” is not what is critical. What is important is that you start working on your words picture if you want to create more powerful connections and more success for yourself.

Even if he or she hates salmon.