The Importance of Mastering Clarity and Conciseness in a World of Instant Gratification

26 Feb The Importance of Mastering Clarity and Conciseness in a World of Instant Gratification

We live in a world where everything is sped up. We drive faster, we read tweets of limited words, we leave 20-second voicemails and we find instant answers to all of our questions in seconds. This has conditioned us to not only desire but expect instant gratification in all of our dealings. When it comes to the professional world, this impatience is likely most apparent in meetings.   We can find ourselves anticipating where the speaker is going before they finish talking and often feel that we understood the point 10 minutes ago.

Think about this: have you been at a meeting lately and wished you were on a beach somewhere instead? You’re bored, fidgeting, yet the speaker goes on and on and on and on. You find yourself thinking things like, “Oh, here comes that overly long, detailed personal story and now she’s trying to impress us with everything she knows. Why am I hearing all of this? What does this have to do with my job? The next speaker will no doubt show me at least 80 slides and then describe them in great detail. I could actually enjoy my coffee while I absorb them myself from home.”

If you can relate, the issue likely isn’t just your desire for instant gratification or a hatred of meetings in general. The presenter is likely lacking in key areas needed to keep your interest.  Not only are they boring, but the information they’re delivering is convoluted, confusing and most likely easily forgotten anyway.

At Speakeasy, when we ask participants what they would most like to learn about their communication, most reply, “I want to be more succinct and clearer. I need to get my point across. After all, this is important stuff, and I hate it when my listeners don’t respond.” Being clear and succinct really boils down to a few key ideas, but it can be challenging to change your line of thinking to succeed in mastering these skills.

Here are a few questions that can help you get started and avoid giving the next painfully boring presentation:

• What is the one clear point you are trying to make?
• Is your presentation rooted in that point?
• Is the language you’re using tailored to your audience?
• Are you managing your pacing and time well?
• Can your listeners absorb your content properly?

A professional coach can help you be the expert in the room while being clear and concise. Your listeners will not only pay more attention, but they will also thank you for it!

Let Speakeasy help you master key communication skills.

Simple ideas aren’t always easy to implement and master. That is why we have put together an impressive team of high-credentialed instructors and consultants to help guide you in your communication journey. Empower yourself and your team with the skills needed for success through personalized corporate coaching. Contact us today to learn more about our executive communication programs and discuss your organization’s unique needs and goals.