If you want your colleagues or clients to know that you are on top of things try blirting – responding quickly and speaking faster. They’ll also think you are competent and likeable.

Shouldn’t it be blurting? No.

Stand by for the tongue-in-cheek jargon.

BLIRT?

BLIRT is the acronym from the ‘Brief Loquaciousness and Interpersonal Responsiveness Test’ devised by Bill Swann and Peter Rentfrow - researchers at the University of Texas.

Swan and Rentfrow point out that blirting is a risky strategy. It amplifies our qualities, good and bad. It pays when we are well informed, feeling agreeable and genuinely interested in the others at our meeting. If we’re not, they’ll find out faster.

The opposite of blirting is brooding

Brooding makes sense if you are not well informed or in a good mood, but it can be risky too. Brood too long before you come up with an objection and your colleagues (or partner) will ask, 'How come you didn't mention it before?' They may also doubt your sincerity.