Q: I work in a legal department where all of the employees are smart. The problem I have is only with one of the lawyers. He uses words that most people don't use or even know. He has an extensive vocabulary filed with less commonly used or archaic words. Most of us, even though we are intelligent, are not familiar with the words he chooses and have to continually ask him what each word means. Others just let it go by without asking, which is what I did at first.

He seems kind and considerate, so I don't think he uses such words to make us feel like dolts. I think he uses language just because he can and he wants to. Once I started asking him the meaning of every word he used that I didn't know, he would define them using clearly understood and commonly known words.

Despite his being nice, this is a ridiculous and ineffective way to communicate. Each unfamiliar word I have looked up has had many common synonyms, and the word he has used is listed as the least preferred. These are not legal words; they are regular words not commonly used in daily language. When I asked him why he doesn't use more commonly known words, he said he doesn't want to appear "simple." Perhaps he thinks his vocabulary raises him above most others. I think it's inconsiderate and ineffective, as the point of communicating is to get a clear message across. How do I convince him that most people don't share his use of the language and he should make clarity and brevity his goals?

A: Because he has an extensive vocabulary, he certainly is familiar with the more commonly used words that convey the same or similar meanings. That means his choice of elaborate and archaic wording is intentional. Because most others in your department are probably too embarrassed to admit they are unfamiliar with a word and need the definition, he may not realize that his word choice puts others off. This may also be a way of individualizing himself. Of course, no intelligent adult wants to use language equal to the wording in a children's book, but there is a happy medium for communicating in the workplace. Language is to express, not to impress.

You've already asked him to use everyday wording, and he refused. Privately ask the others in your department, especially those who have daily contact with him, if they are experiencing the same problem as you. If the group shares your feelings, suggest that, in the interest of improving the lines of communication, you address the situation as a group.

No one in the department should have to carry a dictionary on the job to be able to fully understand this man when he speaks. As he knows and uses obscure, archaic and less commonly used words, he also is familiar with word choices that are commonly understood. By presenting the problem to him, your group will discover whether he is using his vocabulary as a way to appear superior to others. He will either again refuse to do what he considers "dumbing" down the way he speaks, or he will claim he is unaware of the problem. If he chooses to be a clear communicator who gets his messages across quickly, he will acquiesce and use language familiar to others in the department.

When he does refuse again (as he most likely will), bring the problem to the head of your department. You and your colleagues may then have two options: to study each unfamiliar word you hear so you increase your vocabularies or to tell him that if a message is misunderstood by his use of archaic and less commonly used words, the miscommunication and whatever results it may have will be his responsibility.

Email your workplace issues and experiences to [email protected]. For more information about career and life coach Lindsey Novak, visit www.lindseyparkernovak.com, and for past columns, see www.creators.com/read/at-work-lindsey-novak.