Triage to Save the Audience

More often than not, speakers lose their audience by providing too much of a good thing. When they're developing remarks for leaders, communicators ought to reflect on the wisdom behind the Lotus Motor Car design philosophy. Lotus produces svelte sports cars that handle like hummingbirds. And, just like hummingbirds, they handle that way because there’s not an ounce to spare.

Here’s how Lotus describes its engineering DNA:

“Throughout the company’s eight decades, it is innovation on road and track that has been key in delivering success. At the root of our DNA is Colin Chapman’s obsession with light weight,” explains the Lotus literature.

‘Simplify, then add lightness’, he said.

“Adding power makes you faster on the straights; subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere,” was another of Chapman’s maxims.

“By tradition, Lotus uses the least number of parts in its products. Yet, they are impeccably engineered, retain their lightness and work dependably.” For our purposes, non-essential technical jargon, and unnecessary verbiage here equate to weight, and simplicity of thought and simple, clear, conversational language, equate to lightness.

If communicators held this lens up to the talks they develop, fewer mind would wander, fewer good ideas would go wanting, and more leaders would actually move the needle on their initiatives. Battlefield surgeons can't save everyone and good speeches can't carry every idea into battle.

Whoever the speaker, whatever the subject, to make the most of the material: “Simplify and add lightness.”