The Case for Brevity

In a world characterized by abundance and overflow, information is constantly making its way towards us through different mediums in a way that creates a state of dismay. Nevertheless, we have come to a communal expectation to be able, not only to process this information, but to be able to communicate it effectively to others, when needs be. The advent effect of this overflow is a limit that has been put on our attention span and our inability to discern what’s relevant to us from what’s not.

This being the new norm, whether in our private lives as in the workplace, effective communication skills cannot be understated as a means of being able to convey our thoughts, develop relations and make the right decisions. There is no shortage of coaching programs focused on communication skills; however, one thing that is sometimes played down is the power of brevity. Simply put, it’s the use of clear and simple language in conversation as opposed to long-winded statements that can be taxing in terms of time and energy.

The reason we need brevity, is that as humans, we have limitations; in our ability to multi-task and to understand vast amounts of data in a limited time. This problems compounds itself when it’s in a language that is not our mother tongue. We therefore have to turn to the economy of words; a conscious selection of the words we chose to better discuss, argue or negotiate. This is particularly vital during C-Level communications where you need to influence a decision in an exceedingly limited amount of time. The rule of thumb in this situation is: Less is More. By mastering brevity in your communication style, this becomes an achievable feat.

Focusing on the workplace, there are three arguments why brevity is a dire necessity:

As a Productivity Booster

From our school days, we’ve been groomed to write assignments that are 1000 words long, with an emphasis on quantity vs quality. That won’t do anymore. The limited time we have as professionals, should be directed towards innovation and problem solving, which is usually hindered by redundant discussions that lack clear objectives. Brevity in this case, also serves as a tool for collaboration and critical thinking. As an exchange between co-workers becomes more intelligible, it invites active listening, gives space for all members to contribute; specially if some are more reserved than others. It also allows for people to ask the right questions and it leaves no room for ambiguity and second guessing. This all leads to deadline being met; new ideas developed and challenges swiftly resolved.

As a Trust Mechanism

U.S. President, Woodrow Wilson once said:? “If I am to speak for 10 minutes, I need a week for preparation; if 15 minutes, three days; if half an hour, two days; if an hour, I am ready now.”?

The ability to sway others’ views and opinions using the power of words, is not to be taken lightly. The most experienced speakers and presenters are those who are able to leave a lasting memory with the help of the stories they tell; these need to be crisp, powerful and sincere; which creates a form of trust in your subject matter expertise. Having said, a more consequential form of trust that can be developed with the help of brevity, is that among colleagues as they engage in an open dialogue based on clear communication that promotes transparency.

As a Relationship Builder

Trust and transparency as a direct result of brevity, help foster deeper connections with people and develop relationships. As we sharpen our conversational skills by employing clarity and sincerity, conflict resolution becomes painless and we are able to find better compromises. Whether it’s with loved ones or team members, this has the capacity to solidify relationships that are built on a foundation of empathy and to stimulate a culture of cohesion and support. Similarly, leaders who have the power of brevity, are often viewed as being thought leaders interested in providing guidance and inspiration to their teams, working towards growth as a collective.

Brevity is a talent, bourn by a few and required in most. It’s a sign of intelligence in those who are able to use it. As Shakespeare had put it, “Brevity is the soul of wit”. However, it should not come at the cost of missing information, when engaged in a conversation that requires analytical thinking and detail inspection. It’s also not to be confused with being short during a frustrating debate. So in your next discussions, I invite to take a breath, listen intently, think about what you’re going to say and cut to the chase. It needs an effort, but it’s worth it.