Probably heard it 40 times this week (and maybe every week, but it’s been really prevalent in at least three settings this week, and unfortunately, I heard myself use it once this morning): “I want to say…” and it’s corollary, “I want to tell you…“There’s really nothing wrong with wanting to tell folks something. But a greater calling is to want to tell them what they want or need to hear. “This should give you the information you need…” or “I’m confident you’ll find this of interest…” are much better beginnings, simply because they indicate that the speaker is focused on what the audience needs.
Meet your audience’s needs. (which implies you’ve researched them enough to know what that need(s) is/are).
Just once I would love to here someone say, “I want to tell you… but I am not going to.”Later,Jeffhttp://jeffbailey.typepad.com