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Tip: In certain group conversations like meetings, preparing written copies of your key ideas can be more effective than just talking about them.
Examples:
- If you plan to make a specific suggestion for a change in a group's bylaws.
- If you are recommending specific resources like books or websites to others.
- If you are sharing complicated ideas you want others to understand and remember. You can even include graphics to assist understanding.
- In large public meetings where you are introducing a motion for action.
Why add hardcopy to your spoken ideas?
Doing so adds to your credibility, shows you are thoughtful and prepared.
It helps people quickly read a few specific ideas and keeps them focused.
Written words improve accuracy of understanding. Words only spoken often elicit quite different understandings.
When I served on many university committee, non-profit and church boards, and professional associations, I saw how messy and rambling the conversations could become. Eventually, I found a different way: Add some written copies to the mix.
(I'll be using this method at an upcoming association meeting and distributing copies to everyone. My guess is I will be the only member attending who does so.)
Thank you for subscribing and reading this tip!
Until next week's tip,
Loren
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