Recently, I got a painful email from someone who didn’t land a really important job because he talked too much. Understandably frustrated, he wanted to do something about it immediately, so he went online and searched a few keywords and found my book, “Brief.”
I felt badly for him. Imagine the sense of pain and humiliation you’d feel if someone just didn’t think you weren’t concise but told you formally that’s why you weren’t selected. Ouch.
He’s not alone. Many people are judged every day by hiring managers, co-workers, bosses, and clients in the same way.
Some find out the hard way like this poor guy; unfortunately, most never know.
Not Succinct? Stalling Your Career and So Much More
People silently criticize you when you’re not brief. They lose interest, get frustrated and draw harsh, lasting conclusions. All of this happens while you’re talking too much. These opinions and reactions have a real impact on your career. It may translate to a missed promotion, always finishing second in key job searches or waiting endlessly for sure-fire deals to close.
Stop wondering and assume the worse. You are not brief and it’s hurting you in many ways.
There are a few ways to take action:
- Get Certified. The BRIEF Lab Level 1 Certification Online Course is a simple and systematic way to get the skill to stand out by being clear and concise. It’s a combination of online courses, reading the book, small-team workshops and getting tested.
- Be Balanced. Whenever you’re in a conversation, imagine you’re doing a radio interview and don’t monopolize the time; let other people speak and try to split the time evenly. It’s surprising how much better people will think and feel about you when you hand them the microphone.
- Stop When You’re Ahead. At the time you feel you’ve been most convincing, it’s time to wrap it up. People get on a roll and tend to over-sharpen their point, but that is like keeping the pencil too long in the sharpener.
Don’t assume you’re good at being brief. Work at it. Waiting until someone tells you isn’t a strategy. That is professional suicide.
All professionals find areas to improve themselves; being (certifiably) clear and concise is a mark of sanity and success.
Be better. Be brief.
