The Wrong Communication Advice

A few weeks back I wrote about the problem of reducing attention span. We also talked about why it’s becoming essential for all of us to learn the skill to get and retain attention.

Today, let’s talk about one of the biggest mistakes all of us (yes, including me) make in initial years. If we are lucky, we learn it by pain. If we are unlucky, we never learn it at all. So, if you are one of those people who are still wondering why people go off during your conversation after the first few minutes, this might help.

If you are talking to someone senior, look into their eyes (not literally). You will find an unasked question. You need to answer that question first before saying anything else. Yes, anything at all, even before you introduce yourself.

That question is “Why are you here? Why should I listen to you?”

Yes, they need to know why should they listen to you. You need to answer that in the first sentence. But unfortunately, most of us, do it opposite. We have got wrong advice (or we have taken it wrongly) about communication. We have learned that first, we should give the background of the conversation. Then we should articulate the problem, elaborate possible solutions, and then tell which one will suit best. The sequence is all wrong.

It might have been true at some of point of time. But today, at least for quick discussions with senior people, it doesn't work any more. The whole idea is to break the news first. Tell upfront, what is the expectation from the listener, and then what is the issue.

So next time, you are having a quick talk to someone Senior. Tell them in the first sentence – Why are you here? Why should they listen to you?

[This is excerpts from my full article published on my blog. You can read full article with example here. If you want my future articles in your inbox before these go public, subscribe to my newsletter here]