On structured communication

One thing I’ve found get increasingly valuable as I progress in my career is the ability to construct a clear, easy-to-follow argument, and know how to adapt it for different audiences. Whether you’re more comfortable written or verbal, this is a valuable skill to hone, no matter what role or level you’re in. A few tips and resources I reference often and thought would be valuable for anyone working on this:

• The Minto Pyramid Principle is a good foundational framework. This is a method McKinsey teaches their consultants in how to structure and present their thoughts. This article is a good summary to acquaint yourself.
• Help context switch. When people are running between meetings, the more you refocus attention and help context switch, the smoother the convo usually goes. A quick recap of where we stopped, what was agreed on, and where we want to go will help level-set the room and prevent people from accidentally backtracking or giving inconsistent feedback.
• Include a tl;dr. For longreads, start with the top 3-4 things to remember. It’s less important for everyone to read every word, as long as they internalized the key takeaways and know how to retrieve the details when needed.
• Be explicit about action items. Don’t leave anything to interpretation. Tell people what you want them to do, whether this is for FYI purposes or you need them to make a decision or act on your message.
• Don’t sell past the close. When I’ve spent a lot of time constructing a bulletproof argument, I often want to show the full thought process. However, when I’m in a team that trusts me, I don’t need to back up my case all the time. Read the room, and if everyone is in agreement, resist the urge to go into all the detail. It’ll save everyone time/energy, and also avoids opening up new conversations that can distract or overturn the original alignment.