Novels and movies love the build-up and payoff, right?
It’s fun, and entertaining, to spend hours gathering all the pieces and then finally, surprisingly, find out how they fit together.
In real life, on the other hand, our listeners should never wonder where a conversation is leading. Unlike boxing, you want reporters, senior leaders, fellow spokespersons, and soldiers to know exactly where every punch is going to land.
When you are communicating … and engaging … you are doing so to achieve an effect.
Action or understanding is the name of the game. In other words, you want your audience to do something, or know something (and ultimately do something because of what they know).
When your listeners know where your punches are going to land, they’ll grasp and retain the basic concepts throughout the conversation. They’ll ask better follow-up questions. They’ll share your stories and forever lines with others. They’ll have no questions about where you stand. Most importantly, they will be your partner in generating understanding and enabling action.
Of course we should try to surprise and delight our colleagues and public, but never at the cost of coherence.
Telegraph your punches.
(Photo by Sgt. Connor Hancock, DVIDS)
Note: I either stole this idea from a trusted coworker, or the Brief Lab. Both resources: the people we meet and solve problems alongside, and the Brief Lab and its foundational book, are worth your time and appreciation.
