Why Express Is Actually Better than the Danger of Impress

The gap between the words express and impress in human communication is as wide as between the north and south rim of the Grand Canyon.

What is so important about the difference in the impact of the word, express, and the word, impress, when it comes to effective communications?

Consider this…express is all about conveying a thought or even a feeling in words. Certainly, there are other meanings but that’s the key one here.

On the other hand, impress is about (for our purposes here) making someone else feel something. While they could feel admiration or respect, they could also feel disdain or disrespect, if the person trying to impress them comes across in an artificial way.

There’s the importance in the difference between the two words when trying to communicate effectively with another person. Expressing yourself appropriately is so much better and less dangerous than trying to impress another person.

I don't know who first said the following thought and I couldn't find out by Googling the sentence. Doesn't really matter because it's the thought that's important.

The thought is:

"Always speak to express and not to impress."

You may have done it but surely you have heard others do it. Someone makes a comment that is clearly more complicated than it must be. They use words that most people don't even understand let alone use in their vernacular! Or, the comments are so self-serving that they clearly identify someone who is on an around-the-world ego trip!

Got that person or those comments clearly in mind?

Think back. How did you feel upon hearing the person’s words? My guess is there was at least some degree of discomfort or disdain. You weren't impressed with what was expressed! In fact, the exact opposite was true.

So, what did you do?

Well, if you're like most of us, you filed the thought for future reference. You wanted to be able to recall it so you could deal with the person who said it in a much more guarded way. The adage: 

"Once burned, twice shy."

You can't impress people. They must decide to be impressed not coached (through your words)—to be impressed. What you express and how you express it will determine how people are impressed.

It's like Plato said many centuries ago but is just as true today:

"Wise men speak because they have something to say, fools because they have to say something."

Plato had an amazing ability for speaking to express. Could it be because he didn't feel the need to impress? 

How are you going to focus more on expressing yourself rather than trying to impress other people?

Please share your thoughts by commenting below.

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