Be sincere; be brief; be seated.
~ Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Last week in San Francisco while waiting to board my flight, I witnessed an interesting exchange between a passenger and a customer service representative. I don't know what prompted the exchange but here's the part I heard; "… yes ma'am but here's the point you're missing, I can't be any more clear than I have been already. How do you suggest I explain it in a way that you won't ask me the same question over and over again?". I had about 4 hours to think about what I had just heard. By the time I landed back in Milwaukee, here's what I understood to be true. Just like it doesn't take a whole day to recognize sunshine, it shouldn't take a lot of words to make a clear point. In fact, some of the most powerful phrases ever uttered have been short, precise, and to the point. The phrases 'I love you', 'thank you', and 'I apologize' will go down as the greatest phrases of all time.
My challenge to you this week is to be sincere, be brief, and be seated। There is a word for this; it's called brevity. I usually provide the definition but I'll let you do the work this time. Mr. Roosevelt understood that the longer it takes you to 'land the plane', the longer you hold the rest of us hostage in your conversation. Leaders don't need long sentences and big words to drive results. You just need to be clear and available.
Alonzo Kelly
President
Milwaukee Urban League Young Professionals
