The One ‘K.I.S.S.’ That Will Instantly Improve Your Communication

One of my biggest pet peeves in communication—especially business communication—is unnecessary complexity.

To be fair, I’m not speaking of technical writing or white papers; I’m referring to emails, presentations, and other content that aims to connect with peers, partners, and potential clients.

Consider the words you use on business materials—are they needlessly complicated to try to impress? Do you agonize that your messaging will be ill-received if it doesn’t contain buzzwords?

Instead, I suggest maximizing the power of your words by simplifying them.

Years ago, it was my father who first introduced me to the K.I.S.S. method. At the time, I was struggling with a homework assignment, searching for the perfect way to phrase something in a persuasive essay.

For those unfamiliar, K.I.S.S. is an acronym for “Keep it simple, stupid.” It originated as a design principle by the U.S. Navy in 1960 and stated that most systems work best if they are kept simple rather than made complicated. Simplicity should be a goal, and unnecessary complexity should be avoided.

My dad’s advice to me then (which remains true today) was to skip the flowery language and just cut to the heart of the issue using plain language to make my point.

Communication doesn’t have to be hard; here are four ways to keep it simple:

1. Aim for clarity over clever

Yes, it’s tempting to be witty in your latest marketing campaign, but if it leaves your audience scratching their heads, you’re in trouble. To avoid confusing people, always aim for clarity.

When you’re clear, everything becomes easier. People understand you, what you offer, your value, what differentiates you, how you can help them, and how they can assist you. Clarity helps others know, like, and trust you.

2. Avoid unnecessary jargon

Every industry has its acronyms and buzzwords, but when you’re trying to communicate with those outside your expert circle (consumers you hope to woo as new customers, for example), and use that type of language, you’ll risk alienating the very people with whom you’re hoping to connect.

Remember this golden rule of communication: it’s not about you. Far too often, we assume that everyone communicates the same way we do, forgetting that our intended audiences may not live and breathe in our business world. Swap jargon for plain language to increase your odds of your message being received—and understood.

3. Make brevity your friend

Have you ever received a multi-page email and decided it was too long to read? Or maybe you’ve been victim to a presentation that droned on and on and never quite understood what the speaker wanted to say?

Mark Twain famously said, “If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter” —a reference to how much harder brevity is than length.

Here’s the thing: Meandering signals that you’re unorganized and unsure. Worse, you’ll lose your audience’s attention—and the opportunity to connect. When you want to deliver a message, think concise and compelling. Be intentional about your communication, eliminate extraneous material, and get to the point.

4. Focus on one takeaway

When you try to cover too much ground in your communication, it becomes unnecessarily complex. A good rule of thumb is that each piece of content should revolve around one central theme. This forces you to get specific about and home in on your message. And that focus promotes better understanding, making it easier for your audience to understand your perspective.

Business and life are complicated enough; keep your communication simple.

This article was first published on Forbes.com. Find it here, and Amy's other Forbes articles here.

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?Amy Blaschka is a social media ghostwriter who helps leaders craft their stories to communicate and connect better. Contact her if you'd like her help.?

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