The Key to Simple and Clear Communication in a Noisy World

Communication clarity is really hard in the 21st century… a mantra I have recited over and over in this space. It’s hard because of the noise, the competition for mind share, and shrinking attentions spans. But often the best way to combat difficulty and noise is to focus on the most simple, basic elements of what you are trying to achieve. You are competing for clients’ mind share and attention span? It’s complicated out there in the world today? Lots of things to talk about? All of the above?

The best way to compete in a loud, busy, complicated business space is to try NOT to be loud, busy and complicated. In fact, the best way to compete in a loud, busy, complicated space is to present something that is calm, thoughtful, with easily-understood value. Make it easy for your audience to understand what you do for them… why you are valuable for them… how you will save them time, or build their bottom line, or make them better at something that is important to them…. what you are asking for… what problem needs to change.

We spend a lot of time talking to people in lots of organizations… smart people… thoughtful, diligent people. And we are always amazed how many people make their communication harder than it has to be.

Clear, simple, valuable communication starts with your preparation. And in your preparation, the more clear and simple the questions you ask yourself are, the more likely you’ll create communications that are clear and simple. Questions like:

So what do we want to be known for?

What do we want people to hear and remember about us?

What does our audience want most from us? What do we want from them?

What does our audience need from us? What do we need from them?

Questions like these, and others, are at the heart of great business communication preparation. And anything that drifts beyond your answers to these questions should be cut away. Get rid of it. It will only clutter things up.

Keep it simple. Ask yourself simple questions. Limit yourself to simple answers. And then build around that.

Don’t make it harder than it has to be.

Have a great day.

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Does your team:
– Overwhelm the audience with too much detail?
– Make things too complicated?
– Fail to ask for what they want or need?

Does your organization:
– Waste time because of poor internal communication?
– Take too long to make decisions?
– Struggle to clarify and frame discussions?

Do your leaders:
– Exhibit poor executive presence?
– Lean on incomplete communication skills?
– Fail to align the organization?

We transform teams and individuals with repeatable toolsets for persuasive communication. Explore training, coaching, and consulting services from The Latimer Group.