The Value of Talking in Tweets
Concise messaging results in more relevant, collaborative and effective communication – especially in meetings. To help me with this, I wish I had a Twitter character-counter inside my brain.
Last week, I sat quietly in a team meeting listening to perspectives while I formulated mine. When just enough confidence in my point of view intersected with just enough impatience with the discussion, I spoke. My position in our company gave me resolve to put it all on the table – everything I was thinking. I made my point and then I talked…and talked…and talked about the details of my idea and the reasons why it made sense. I paused after a few minutes to read the audience and subconsciously I knew my role in the company and the duration of my talking was commanding the group. Most eyes were on the table and mouths were silent. I had gained compliance rather than cooperation. And I wondered at the approach I took. It was different from my meeting with a client the day before. Perhaps because of a different power dynamic, or maybe because more was at stake with the client – I had disciplined myself to be brief. I worked hard to talk in terms of the client’s interests. And I frequently asked the client for reactions and input. Two meetings – one was talking “at” people and the other talking “with” people.
With a bit of discipline, we can apply four keys to effective Tweet-talking to gain more willing interest and cooperation:
1. Get to the point. We live in a world of headlines, sound bites and text messaging. Within 90 seconds of talking, we should clearly state ONE point in ONE sentence. It should answer one of these questions: What is the fact or opinion? What is the idea? What is the request? What action do you recommend? Limiting our point to one concept at a time will make for greater impact and clarity.
2. Make a connection. Two years ago, I heard Bill Clinton captivate a room of thousands. It reminded me of his 1992 debate with George Bush where he showcased his ability to connect ideas to the hearts and minds of listeners. It was in this debate, at this moment, that many pundits say he won the election. Within 90 seconds of talking, we should clearly state ONE reason why our listener(s) should care about our point.
3. Back it up. Evidence builds credibility and makes our ideas come alive. Through ONE quick demonstration, story, picture, analogy, reference or statistic, we connect to the skeptical and emotional parts of the brain.
4. Pause for reactions. After we state our point, make a connection and provide evidence, all within 90 seconds, we should sincerely discover what others think. A question like, “How does that sound?” will engage our audience, help them digest our Tweet and maximize the relevance of anything else we say.
Framing short statements with these four elements will make us more meaningful and influential leaders.
Where do you need to exhibit more discipline in your message delivery?
I feel striving to apply this discipline at home and at work would create wonderful results. Thanks for the great food for thought, Matt!