You ask a simple question, and they answer with a boringly long and complicated sentence composed of fifty-four words. And you still have absolutely no idea what they are talking about, or what their point was. Worst of all, you were just confirming if they were attending the event this weekend. Yes or No.
A Sure Cure For Insomnia
Have you met people like that? Imagine what it’s like having a weekly meeting at the workplace with them. What a nightmare. I could doze off, enjoy moments in dreamland, and they would still be answering the question when I woke up.
I remember some years ago, my naughty friend Ernie told our office-mate: “You’re a sure cure for insomnia. Look, half of the people in the room are falling asleep whenever the boss asks you for an opinion. And the other half have that dazed look. They’re physically present but mentally absent.”
Productivity at its worst. Those 3-hour-long meetings are such a waste of time. I wonder how those folks passed their job interview.
Key Take-Away
Here’s what the boss wants: direct answers to direct questions. Especially now that meetings are conducted online, don’t bore people to tears with your monotone blah-blah-blah scene-stealing declamatory run-on sentences.
Apply this tried-and-tested formula when the boss asks for the key take-away.
– POINT - Give a clear opening remark.
– REASON - Give ONE outstanding reason to support your statement.
– EXAMPLE - Give three easily understandable examples that paint a clear picture of your point.
– POINT - Give a Call-to-Action remark that will motivate the listeners to buy-in to your stand.
TIPS AND TECHNIQUES
Listen with the intent to understand, NOT to be ‘bigger, better and brighter’ than the person who asked you a simple question. You are not in high school, standing in front of your class, expounding on the theory of evolution.
Do you really think you will receive a medal for your pathetically long and boring recitation in a workplace meeting? Remember these three things.
1. Speak to express - NOT to impress.
2. K.I.S.S. - Keep It Short and Simple. If you pontificate, how sure are you that anyone will be impressed with your 5-syllable technical terminology?
3. Imagine the headline of a newspaper. That is how clear and concise your opening and closing remarks should be.
Meaningful. Relevant. Memorable. If no one remembers what you said, what’s the point? Just KISS.
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‘Tidbits’
OpinYon Executive Editor Rose De La Cruz will be regularly guesting in the SHOW AND TELL with Miss V YouTube Channel of OpinYon Columnist-Broadcaster-Podcaster Vivien Mangalindan.
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OpinYon Executive Editor Rose De La Cruz will be regularly guesting in the SHOW AND TELL with Miss V YouTube Channel of OpinYon Columnist-Broadcaster-Podcaster Vivien Mangalindan.
vivienshowandtell@gmail.com