Clarity is Power - Two ways to know if you're over-explaining in your conversations!

Dear Leaders,

Welcome back to ‘The CXO Mindset Newsletter’. In the newsletter today, I am going to talk about the habit of over-explaining.

We've all been there. Countless meetings where a well-intentioned leader drowns us in a sea of irrelevant details. I’ve lost count of the times I've watched the clock, my mind wandering as unnecessary information is poured over us. The subtle glances at watches, the stifled yawns, the silent prayers for the meeting to end - these are familiar companions in corporate life. In my webinars, sometimes I have caught myself explaining things a few times with a desire to be clearer with every iteration. So, lot of leaders do explain a lot more than they need to. Do you?

You’re a busy CXO, juggling a million things at once. Every moment counts. Yet, you might be unknowingly wasting precious time over-explaining. It's a common trap for leaders. ?

Here are 2 signs that tell you that you are over-explaining -

1.???? ?You're Drowning in Follow-up Questions If you’re constantly fielding clarifying questions after meetings or emails, you might be over-explaining. Your audience needs clear, concise information, not a detailed narrative.

Over-explaining can dilute your message and make you seem less confident. It also consumes valuable time that could be spent on strategic thinking.

2.???? You're Fearful of Misinterpretation The urge to anticipate every possible question can lead to excessive clarification. Trust that your audience is intelligent and capable of understanding your message. The leader might feel that by providing excessive details, they are ensuring tasks are completed according to their standards.

Overcompensating for clarity can create information overload and hinder decision- making.

Let’s learn how to navigate this trap and have an effective conversation-

1. Embrace the Power of Silence: Sometimes, a pause is more effective than a long explanation. Let your audience process the information. This gives them an opportunity to ask relevant questions.
2. Practice Active Listening: Understanding your audience's needs will help you tailor your message effectively.
3. Build Trust: A strong relationship with your team fosters open communication and reduces the need for excessive clarification.
4. Focus on one or two key messages – Focus on delivering key points and avoid going into unnecessary details. Practice summarizing your thoughts in a few sentences.
5. Learn to Delegate: If you find yourself getting bogged down in details, delegate tasks or ask for help. Rope in these people, who you have delegated the task to, in the discussions so that they can talk about their points, and you are not over-explaining.

By focusing on clarity and conciseness, you’ll not only save time but also enhance your leadership impact.

Thank you for reading this instalment of the newsletter. I welcome the ideas and topics that you would like to see in the future editions of the newsletter. You can send me a message here on LI or write to me at [email protected] .?

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Wish you good health, happiness, and success always,

Manbir

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