Less is More
Here are a list of "less is more-isms" guaranteed to help you communicate with greater finesse.
Less talking – More listening In January, I had the privilege of working with twelve fine dentists in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Yes, that’s Minnesota in January! (The snow-covered farmland radiated with a serene beauty.) During that day I could’ve done all the talking. Yet, the best way to learn is to listen. Using their answers to the initial question, "What do you want to learn more about in the realm of communication skills in your practice?" we strategized and practiced.
Can you think of times when you could be doing less talking and more listening?
Less clutter – More clarity It’s amazing how much we say that is not necessary. Count up the words like "you know", and the phrases like "to be perfectly honest with you" (is everything else you say NOT honest?), and the fillers like "you know what I’m saying?" Become your own clutter guard. Make your intentions clearer by deleting the extraneous ‘uhs’ and ‘ums’.
Less distraction – More focus One of my corporate clients had this wise observation, "If you have money bets on your golf game, you golf better!"
How can you provide less distraction and more focus in your office? Is the room where you give presentations filled with stuff on the wall, extra objects on the table, and a floating screen saver on the computer? After you finish reading this article, go walk around your office. Look with fresh eyes. Get rid of the distractions.
Less razzle dazzle – More simplicity As I coach presenters I beg my clients to limit the fancy visuals with all of the bells and whistles. Give us great visuals and well-defined pictures that aren’t diluted with six different fonts and eight different color schemes.
Where can you find more simplicity with your message?
Less answers – More questions Your clients want answers. Yet, you may find out more, diagnose better, and relate with heightened trust when you ask more questions… and then close your mouth and listen.
Your Speak For Yourself® Challenge:
Think "less is more" as you communicate.
