Roundaboutness

Roundaboutness refers to the quality or state of being indirect, circuitous, or ambiguous in expression or action. It captures the essence of avoiding a straightforward approach, often leading to convoluted explanations or actions that deviate from the most direct pathway. This concept is often used in discussions about communication styles, decision-making processes, and problem-solving approaches where a lack of clarity or directness is prevalent, ultimately resulting in complex or perplexing situations.

Roundaboutness meaning with examples

• In discussing the company's new policy, the manager's roundaboutness left employees confused, as he seemed to skirt around important details without ever addressing their concerns directly. Many found themselves unsure of what changes to expect, primarily due to the vague language used in his presentation, which could have been simplified to ensure clarity and understanding instead of roundaboutness.
• During the meeting, Jenna's roundaboutness in explaining the project's setbacks frustrated her team. Instead of addressing the core issues head-on, she spoke in circles, providing unnecessary details that obscured the main problems. This led to confusion among the team members who were eager to find practical solutions, ultimately causing delays that could have been avoided had she opted for direct communication.
• The politician's roundaboutness when questioned about his controversial decisions drew criticism from both supporters and opponents. His lengthy and convoluted responses seemed more focused on sidestepping the issue than providing reassurance or clarity. This roundaboutness left constituents feeling unsettled, longing for straightforward answers that would help them understand his stance and rationale more effectively.
• In literature, roundaboutness can be a stylistic device that creates suspense or deepens character development. An author might deliberately employ roundaboutness in dialogue to signify a character's internal conflict or hesitation, allowing readers to delve deeper into the psyche of the character. This can enrich the narrative, but excessive roundaboutness risks confusing the audience and detracting from the main themes.