Have you noticed how experts can distill a complex idea into a short, succinct description we can all understand? Someone who really owns their topic can deconstruct it into its simplest elements and put it back together in a way that is relevant to the immediate audience.
That’s my attraction to Twitter. I consider it a leadership development tool in that it forces me to pick just one main point and get to it quickly. Last week I decided to try speaking in this way — I call it Twitterish.
All great lessons contain surprises and this was no exception. What I learned is that I need to listen more. Attempting to repackage my rambling thoughts into fewer words created unnatural pauses. I found the other person often took that as a sign that I needed more information, and sometimes that additional information took the conversation in a totally different direction — into something more useful to my conversation partner.
So I’ve learned that less is better and sometimes remaining silent helps the real conversation show up.
What a great concept Susan! I love the term “Twitterish”.
Thanks, Erin. Let’s try it next time we’re in a meeting together!