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An author and communications expert says brevity is a critical tool for National Guardsmen and other service members.
Joseph McCormack — who wrote Brief: Make a Big Impact by Saying Less — added clear, concise communications can help service members perform their missions better.
"If you put the bottom line at the bottom, you’re going to lose," he told audience members at the 146th NGAUS General Conference & Exhibition in Detroit Sunday. "Speak in headlines.
"How you communicate as a professional is everything," McCormack continued. "As professionals, we have to make an effort to get better at this every day."
McCormack argued headlines must be short, conveying intent in 10 words or less.
He also suggested headlines should grab listeners’ attention, pull them in and point to the subject they must understand.
"The point of my presentation today is that brevity is your weapon," McCormack stated. "It is your weapon to cut through the clutter and noise of your day.
"When you say something, it matters," he noted. "When you speak, people listen."
McCormack cited losing an audience, mission failure and even injury as some of the risks from unclear communications among service members.
He listed increased efficiency, strengthening one’s reputation and time savings as a few of brevity's rewards.
While he did not serve in the military, McCormack has worked closely with service members interested in improving their communications.
He established the Brief Lab in 2013 — a business development service aimed at elite communications standards for military and corporate leaders.
The Brief Lab emerged after McCormack spent several years working with Army Special Operations Command at what is now Fort Liberty, North Carolina. The installation was called Fort Bragg.
Retired Maj. Gen. Francis M. McGinn, the NGAUS president, personally invited McCormack after attending one of the author’s presentations.
McCormack also signed books Sunday and gave a presentation about fixing meetings at the association’s Minuteman Stage.
His remarks at the NGAUS conference will be available soon through the association’s YouTube page.
— By Mark Hensch
