perception (pur-SEP-shun) – Observing using one’s senses, particularly vision.

When we meet someone for the first time, we unconsciously make assumptions and judgments about that person based on what they’re wearing, how they act, and what they say. Perhaps this can be traced back to our earliest days, even before we had a spoken language, when we had to be able to identify predators and prey, strangers and friends, and make a quick and reasonably accurate assessment of what they were likely to do next. First impressions are important (as we’re sure you’ve been told) and one of the things that can make the biggest impression on someone is the way you speak, and the words you use.

Even if you’re not meeting someone in person, you’re still communicating, and since they will have no way of making assumptions and decisions based on your clothes or your actions, your words are the only way you can make an impression. Developing excellent speaking and writing skills is an important way to control how you come across to other people, in both professional and personal interactions.

The more words you know, the less likely it will be that you’ll use a word incorrectly or out of context. Using the correct words gives people confidence that you know what you’re talking about, whether you’re chatting in a coffee shop or giving a presentation to a group of clients. And if people believe that you know what you’re talking about, they’ll be more likely to listen to you and follow your directions and advice.

People who have other people follow them are seen as leaders. In the business and political worlds, leaders are hired, and then promoted.

perception (pur-SEP-shun) – Understanding, comprehension.

An improved vocabulary also gives you the tools you need to process and comprehend new information. Not only will you understand more of the words used by an author or speaker, you’ll quickly get a sense of what they’re saying. You’ll be able to ask insightful questions to get more details from a speaker, rather than having to ask them to explain themselves. If you’re doing research, you’ll read faster and with better comprehension, allowing you to cover more ground and access more resources in the same amount of time, and you won’t waste time in confusion by misinterpreting text.

No matter how you look at it, vocabulary improvement is a good thing!