CONCISE = SUCCESS
Expressing ideas out loud for the very first time is exciting. It's like exploring a plot of land. You make your way around the perimeter, viewing it from all angles. Then you make tentative prods to see what's beneath the surface. Sometimes you end up back on the perimeter for another view or abandon the place altogether for a whole new plot.
It's a fun process. Unless you're the listener.
Under our definition of a presentation, you shouldn't need to do your exploring in front of other people. The advantage is that being concise is one of the most highly prized attributes of the effective communicator.
| To be concise you need to be able to deliver your last line first. |
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It's said that when Jack Welch ran General Electric he asked presenters, "Do you have a summary slide?" When they said yes, he said, "Show me that first." This is a terrific lesson, especially if you're communicating upwards.
Ask yourself, what point am I really trying to make? Then speak that first. All your reasons and supporting data can come later.
If you hear yourself beginning to repeat an idea, stop. That's right. Simply stop talking. Saying an idea out loud a second time helps YOU clarify your thinking, it does not add value for your listeners. Think about it silently until you can summarize it in a sentence.
As you challenge yourself to become more concise, you'll find yourself able to preface your remarks with frameworks like, "I have two different ideas regarding this," or "My thought connects directly with what Robin said."
The sound of leadership is concise. Get to your bottom line. Say it once. Stop talking.
People will listen.
THE SOUND OF LEADERSHIP MENU
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