PRACTICAL SPEAKING GUIDE

Ask for evidence without dismissing an idea

A colleague says a new service will save the team a lot of time.

2026-09-27 · Original teaching notes by SpeakBEC

Start with the situation

A colleague says a new service will save the team a lot of time. You are interested but need to decide whether to test it. Asking for useful evidence is different from demanding that every uncertainty disappear before anything can happen.

A possible exchange

Which part of the process would it shorten?

The weekly reporting step.

What are we comparing it with, and have we measured the time on a real report?

Not yet.

Could we test it on next week’s report before deciding on a wider rollout?

Why this works

Begin by identifying the claim precisely. “Saves time” could mean faster data entry, fewer corrections or a shorter approval cycle. Each claim calls for a different comparison. Once you know which claim matters, ask for a manageable test instead of a general demand for proof.

Tone is partly shaped by what your question enables. “Where is your evidence?” can sound like a challenge with no path forward. “Have we measured the time on a real report?” points to a check the team can perform. If evidence is weak, say what decision you can still make: a limited trial may be reasonable even when a full rollout is not. Do not treat confidence of delivery as strength of evidence.

Change the condition and try it

A supplier claims its tool reduces errors. Ask what counts as an error, what baseline is used and what small test would help your team decide. End with the decision that the test will inform, not a request to “send everything you have”.

Try a spoken or written response before checking it. Did you address the changed condition? Could the listener identify the next step? The model is not the only acceptable answer.