Using the word "Right" to confirm understanding during technical demonstration

Question

I manage a technical group and I was having a discussion with one of the lead guys who is learning a new technology and when I was explaining a few things, he kept using the word "Right" to confirm his understanding.
At the time I could not tell if he was confirming the correctness of what I was saying or simply his understanding of it. When I asked him if he already knew what I was talking about. He said "no" and then we got into a discussion about what the correct word should be to confirm understanding.
I suggested that using the word "Right" was misleading and depending on inflection could be considered egotistical and/or give of the wrong message (as it did for me in this case). He of course disagreed.
Then again he could have just wanted me to shut up :)

Elliot · Answer

It is appropriate to use the gentle question "Understand?" to inquire whether the listener understands what you are saying or have just said. It leads down a long dark trail to say "Right?" over and over until they have to tell you that they lost you some miles back.
Asking for their understanding then at some point if they do not understand satisfactorily they will put you right and you can then begin a finer grained description of your topic.

Using the word "Right" to confirm understanding during technical demonstration

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