Dear Founders: your message has to be clear

Employees whose founder clearly communicates goals are at least 400% more engaged than those whose leaders don’t.

This makes the decision very easy: work on your message.

And more specifically, simplify it.

University professors usually prepare for four hours for every hour they teach. They focus on being clear, succinct, and having an impactful delivery. Though almost everything taught today is available online for free, some professors have become famous for their lectures.

If you think about it, the same applies to NBA players: they train all day for months to “only” play two 2.5-hour official games per week.

Same thing with musicians, navy seals, and doctors.

This raises the question: should I prepare the same way to deliver my message in the next Townhall?

The answer is of course you should.

• Step one: Simplify.

Put the time in. Polish your message. Replace buzz words for words that can be understood by everyone. If you can say it in four words instead of ten, do four. If the message is not simple, then it’s complicated. There are no gray areas here.

• Step two: Be “jazz smooth”.

This requires practice, getting feedback, and calibrating. Practice your intonation, your pauses, and your transitions. Try different tones, angles, and words.

If your message is not confidential in nature, test it with an assistant, executive, or employee. If your message is confidential, run it by a consultant, a coach, or an employee with clearance.

Adjust accordingly.

• Step three: Simplify some more.

Remember, the way you say things is not necessarily the way people hear them. The context that is in your head when you come up with a message, might not be present when the message is delivered. Making it clear makes it simple.

Empathy is at the core of every successful message.