--- title: I Won't Hire People Who Use Poor Grammar. by Kyle Wiens (Harvard Business Review, 7/20/12); summary + commentary by Lynda McDaniel description: "Haven't heard about our summary+commentary (s+c*d) format?  Learn more! Guest blog article by Lynda McDaniel Summary In a recent H" image: https://www.people-onthego.com/hs-fs/file-15490687-jpg/images/spellinggrammar_summary_and_commentary_people-onthego.jpg --- - [Home](https://www.people-onthego.com/) - [Contact Us](https://www.people-onthego.com/company/) - [Blog](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/) [![pog_logo_on_white_tall](https://www.people-onthego.com/hs-fs/file-2213160099-jpg/people-onthego/pog_logo_on_white_tall.jpg)](https://www.people-onthego.com/) ![Less Is More Blog Productivity Tips](https://www.people-onthego.com/hs-fs/file-15411125-jpg/Top%20pictures/pog_top_5.jpg) ### Join us at the Webinars **[![2021_Webinars_Schedule_People-OnTheGo](https://www.people-onthego.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2021_Webinars_Schedule_People-OnTheGo.jpg?width=163&name=2021_Webinars_Schedule_People-OnTheGo.jpg)](https://www.people-onthego.com/webinars)** **[Click for our Webinars Schedule.](https://www.people-onthego.com/webinars)** ### The Perfect 15-Minute Day Method is here! [![Promotiona_Video_Thumbnail_Rev2.jpg](https://www.people-onthego.com/hs-fs/hubfs/The_Perfect_15-Minute_Day/Promotiona_Video_Thumbnail_Rev2.jpg?width=204&height=138&name=Promotiona_Video_Thumbnail_Rev2.jpg "Promotiona_Video_Thumbnail_Rev2.jpg")](https://youtu.be/zSgfyTYgLa8) Order the [book](http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-15-Minute-Day-Managing-Thoughts/dp/1532783817/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1465191234&sr=8-1&keywords=the+perfect+15-minute+day)[,](http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-15-Minute-Day-Managing-Thoughts/dp/1532783817/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1465191234&sr=8-1&keywords=the+perfect+15-minute+day) [eBook](https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-15-Minute-Day-Managing-Thoughts-ebook/dp/B01GNFWKNU?ie=UTF8&keywords=the%20perfect%2015-minute%20day&qid=1465191346&ref_=sr_1_3&sr=8-3), [journal](http://www.lulu.com/shop/pierre-khawand/the-perfect-15-minute-day-journal-managing-your-time-your-thoughts-and-your-emotions/paperback/product-22734416.html), or [eCourse](https://app.ruzuku.com/courses/15268/about) to get started right away and inject a healthy dose of accomplishments and happiness in your workday and beyond! **[Learn more!](https://www.people-onthego.com/theperfect15minuteday-details)** ### Get Our Free eBook *The Results Curve™: How to Manage Focused and Collaborative Time* [![](https://www.people-onthego.com/hs-fs/file-15436133-jpg/images/ebookcoverpagesmall.jpg?width=135&name=ebookcoverpagesmall.jpg)](https://www.people-onthego.com/focused-versus-collaborative-time-free-eBook/) [**Click to download.**](https://www.people-onthego.com/focused-versus-collaborative-time-free-eBook/) ### Buy Accomplishing More With Less at Amazon [![AMLWorkbookCoverFinishedSmall](https://www.people-onthego.com/hs-fs/file-15420951-jpg/images/AMLWorkbookCoverFinishedSmall.jpg)](http://www.amazon.com/Accomplishing-More-With-Less-Workbook/dp/1448675553) [**Available in paperback.**](http://www.amazon.com/Accomplishing-More-With-Less-Workbook/dp/1448675553) **[And Kindle Edition for Kindle and iPhone users.](http://www.amazon.com/Accomplishing-More-Less-Workbook-ebook/dp/B002Y26Y9I/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2)** [![describe the image](https://www.people-onthego.com/hs-fs/file-15439972-jpg/images/freewebinars_ppl.jpg?width=186&name=freewebinars_ppl.jpg)](https://www.people-onthego.com/free-webinars-lunch-and-learn/)[**Learn more about our free Lunch & Learn Webinars.**](https://www.people-onthego.com/free-webinars-lunch-and-learn) # Less-Is-More Blog by Pierre Khawand ## [I Won't Hire People Who Use Poor Grammar. by Kyle Wiens (Harvard Business Review, 7/20/12); summary + commentary by Lynda McDaniel](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/bid/80985/I-Won-t-Hire-People-Who-Use-Poor-Grammar-by-Kyle-Wiens-Harvard-Business-Review-7-20-12-summary-commentary-by-Lynda-McDaniel) Posted by [Pierre Khawand](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/author/pierre-khawand) on Sun, Jul 29, 2012 @ 04:23 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Haven't heard about our summary+commentary (s+c*d) format? [Learn more!](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/bid/65528/Introducing-summary-commentary-articles-making-the-Web-a-little-easier-to-absorb) # Guest blog article by [Lynda McDaniel](https://www.people-onthego.com/time-management-e-mail-outlook-excel-word-powerpoint-sharepoint/business-writing-for-success/) # Summary # ![SpellingGrammar Summary and Commentary People OnTheGo](https://www.people-onthego.com/hs-fs/file-15490687-jpg/images/spellinggrammar_summary_and_commentary_people-onthego.jpg?width=160&height=150&name=spellinggrammar_summary_and_commentary_people-onthego.jpg) In a recent [*Harvard Business Review* article](http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/07/i_wont_hire_people_who_use_poo.html), Kyle Wiens calls himself a “grammar stickler.” He explains that everyone applying for a position at either of his companies, iFixit or Dozuki, is required to take a grammar test. With the exception of a couple of extenuating circumstances—dyslexia and English-language learners—he has a “‘zero tolerance approach’ to grammar mistakes.” The difference between “too/to,” “its/it’s” and “their/they’re/there” is important, especially at his companies where the main products are user manuals and technical documentation. But grammar matters at every company, he explains. Whether in blogs and articles, e-mails or company websites, Wiens believes “your words are all you have. They are a projection of you in your physical absence.” # Commentary Wiens comments echo my own efforts to elevate the quality of writing in the workplace. I appreciate his insights about people judging us with the clues they have—which today are often only our words. Fortunately, people seem to be increasingly interested in refreshing their grammar and punctuation skills. So I question Wien’s rigidity about a single mistake. Excellence is an honorable goal, but not perfectionism. I find perfectionism makes my clients quiver and quake when facing a writing project. It shuts down their creativity and actually causes errors. # Discussion How are your  grammar and punctuation skills? What is the quality of writing in your workplace? Do you ascribe to a “zero tolerance approach”? Where do you stand on the difference between perfectionism and excellence? # Additional Resources - [Effective Business Email Writing Workshop](https://www.people-onthego.com/time-management-e-mail-outlook-excel-word-powerpoint-sharepoint/effective-business-email-writing/)  - [Business Writing for Success Workshop](https://www.people-onthego.com/time-management-e-mail-outlook-excel-word-powerpoint-sharepoint/business-writing-for-success/) - [Content Writing Workshop: How to write attention-grabbing, brand-building blogs, articles, and social media](https://www.people-onthego.com/time-management-e-mail-outlook-excel-word-powerpoint-sharepoint/creative-writing--work/) Topics: [business writing](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/business-writing), [email etiquette](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/email-etiquette), [guest bloggers](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/guest-bloggers), [summary-plus-commentary](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/summary-plus-commentary) ### Subscribe by Email [![Need an employee training solution that's flexible and affordable? Find out about our webinars & onsite training programs.](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/74033/b2ec9b00-f03b-48d4-b679-0d2e0c48ea7d.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/74033/b2ec9b00-f03b-48d4-b679-0d2e0c48ea7d) ### Write Your Comments ![](https://www.people-onthego.com/hs-fs/file-2236603855-png/images/write_blog_typewriter.png?width=178&name=write_blog_typewriter.png) We want to hear from you! Please write your comments in the blog and let us know what you think. ### Connect with us! ### Browse by Tag - [accomplishment (1)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/accomplishment) - [books (2)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/books) - [business results (42)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/business-results) - [business writing (13)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/business-writing) - [career (20)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/career) - [collaboration (10)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/collaboration) - [corporate training (2)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/corporate-training) - [document collaboration (6)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/document-collaboration) - [effective meetings (3)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/effective-meetings) - [email etiquette (8)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/email-etiquette) - [email management (27)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/email-management) - [emerging technology (10)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/emerging-technology) - [generations in the workplace (4)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/generations-in-the-workplace) - [getting organized (15)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/getting-organized) - [giveaway (3)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/giveaway) - [Gmail (3)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/gmail) - [Google+ (14)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/google) - [guest bloggers (12)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/guest-bloggers) - [happiness (1)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/happiness) - [human resources (5)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/human-resources) - [information overload (4)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/information-overload) - [interruptions (16)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/interruptions) - [leadership (30)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/leadership) - [Lunch & Learn Webinars (21)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/lunch-learn-webinars) - [management (19)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/management) - [managing stress (24)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/managing-stress) - [Microsoft Excel Tutorial (3)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/microsoft-excel-tutorial) - [Microsoft Office 2007 (13)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/microsoft-office-2007) - [Microsoft Office 2010 (1)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/microsoft-office-2010) - [microsoft office 2013 (1)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/microsoft-office-2013) - [Microsoft PowerPoint Training (4)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/microsoft-powerpoint-training) - [Microsoft Project Training (3)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/microsoft-project-training) - [Microsoft SharePoint Training (5)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/microsoft-sharepoint-training) - [Microsoft Word Training (3)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/microsoft-word-training) - [productivity (57)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/productivity) - [produtivity (1)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/produtivity) - [social media (24)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/social-media) - [social media marketing (1)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/social-media-marketing) - [stress management (10)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/stress-management) - [summary-plus-commentary (9)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/summary-plus-commentary) - [survey (3)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/survey) - [team work (9)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/team-work) - [Technology (31)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/technology) - [time management tips (51)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/time-management-tips) - [time on social media (5)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/time-on-social-media) - [tip-of-the-month (8)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/tip-of-the-month) - [to do list (2)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/to-do-list) - [tools and supplies (8)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/tools-and-supplies) - [twitter (6)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/twitter) - [virtual teams (7)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/virtual-teams) - [webinars (13)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/webinars) - [wellness (13)](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/topic/wellness) ### Latest Posts - [Home](https://www.people-onthego.com/) | - [eBooks](https://www.people-onthego.com/ebooks/) | - [Books](https://www.people-onthego.com/accomplishing-more-with-less-books/) - [Workshops](https://www.people-onthego.com/time-management-e-mail-outlook-excel-word-powerpoint-sharepoint/) | - [Memberships](https://www.people-onthego.com/memberships/) | - [Specials](https://www.people-onthego.com/specials/) | - [Free Webinars](https://www.people-onthego.com/free-webinars-lunch-and-learn/) | - [Less-Is-More Blog](https://www.people-onthego.com/blog/) | - [News & Events](https://www.people-onthego.com/news-events/) | - [Speaker](https://www.people-onthego.com/speaker/) | - [Company](https://www.people-onthego.com/company/) | - [Privacy Policy](https://www.people-onthego.com/privacy-policy) | - [Terms and Conditions](https://www.people-onthego.com/terms-and-conditions) © 2021 www.people-onthego.com