What is your Point?
Lutfey Siddiqi
Chief Advisor’s Special Envoy for International Affairs (with the rank of Advisor (Minister)), Interim Government of Bangladesh. Visiting Professor-in-Practice LSE & Adjunct Professor NUS
Early on friday morning, I received a phone call from the school principal. My seven year old had just spent the night with his class, camped outdoors on a field trip - his first ever. "I'm afraid there was an incident this morning", said the anxious-sounding principal. "Your son and a friend, wandered away from the camp ... the teachers set about looking for them in their buggies ...".
I don't remember exactly what else it is that he said but, through the loud beatings of my heart, I think I heard a detailed description of the terrain, the landscape and the path that would've been taken by the boys. At one point, I had to interrupt and ask, "Are they okay?!!".
He said, "oh yes they are; they were found safe and sound. I'm calling because we don't want them to continue with the camp. Could you arrange to pick up your son?"...
"There are two ways to make a point", as we were reminded by the professor in an executive class recently. Exasperated by a tendency displayed by several of us in the class, to make rambling comments disguised as questions, she showed us this pyramid framework:
- Start with the point. Then, provide colour and supporting evidence. If you get cut-off, you'd have still made your point. This is the pyramid standing the right way up.
- The converse is to build up your story with a lengthy preamble and background. Illustrations and data are thrown in without explicitly mentioning the argument that they are supposed to support. The purpose is to ultimately arrive at the point as a logical destination - unless, of course, you are cut off first.
I find this to be a simple and useful framework for professional conversations. Most of the time, the upright pyramid is superior to the inverted one. Would you agree?
Director, Product and Partner Marketing, Solidigm
3moDepends. For more dramatic oratory demonstration a nail in the coffin at the end may be more pleasing for the audience in my humble opinion. For professional presentation starting with an executive summary is very much a norm
Visionary Founder & CEO | Pioneering the Future of Cybersecurity, Fintech, AI, and Climate Tech | Driving Innovation & Global Change
3moAh, the classic 'inverted pyramid' dilemma—a story that's been shared in executive classrooms for ages. It’s like playing a game of chess where you start with your pawns, while your queen—the true star—sits patiently in the back row, ready for her big moment. Lutfey Siddiqi your advice is spot on: don’t leave your queen trapped. Start with her right upfront! As entrepreneurs and professionals, we're often tempted to showcase the journey, the drama, the build-up—hoping to keep our audience in suspense. But in the real world of business, nobody has time for the theatrical intermission. In meetings, pitches, or any decision-making scenario, clarity and brevity are the kings. When you start with your main point, you allow the conversation to be directed and purposeful. Your supporting data and anecdotes are there to reinforce, not to navigate. Let your queen lead the charge!
I think it depends on the context of the conversation. In your example there is urgency, so the key point should be conveyed immediately. As an advisor, I generally use the inverted pyramid. I start with the current situation. I describe the clients goals, opportunities and obstacles. I explain the course of reasoning that has lead me to, finally, my advice. I feel this helps to align the advisor's and client's thought processes. That said, some clients just want you to get to the point, so it's important to know both!
Director, Technology Infrastucture
9yI find that this works well with email communication too. State the 'ask' or purpose of the email and then go into the background in subsequent paragraphs. This gives the recipient the option to read the rest of the email or act on the purpose without wasting time. Anything that makes pounding through emails quicker is appreciated by all.