Earlier this year, we explored the power of leadership language and its role in building strong executive presence. The words you choose have incredible power to either engage or alienate, so being conscious of your language and its effect is critical. Clear, concise and succinct communication is a vital part of strong leadership, yet many of us find it difficult to craft language that has the impact we desire.
In his latest documentary, The Address, award winning filmmaker Ken Burns explores the enduring power of The Gettysburg Address. The film follows a group of students with learning disabilities as they memorize the speech and recite it for the families and peers. Why does this two minute speech carry such power? What about it inspires us over 150 years since Lincoln delivered the address?
Burns uses the phrase ‘Presidential poetry’ to describe Lincoln’s language. It distills the thought, image, emotion and event down into their essences and communicates with incredible economy of language. You can see the text of the address here. Reading it reminds us how remarkable it is as a piece of poetry. In less than 300 words, Lincoln sets a historical context, laments the present conflict, honors those who have given their lives and inspires hope for a peaceful future as a still young nation comes of age.
Building on the idea of poetry as a form that challenges the writer or speaker to distill their meaning to its essence, take a moment to read this haiku by the renowned Japanese poet Issa:
O snail
Climb Mount Fuji.
But slowly, slowly.
In eight words and three lines, Issa conveys all the elements of an epic story: a lead character, the snail, goes on an epic journey up Mount Fuji. And he does it the only way he can: slowly. The words, even in translation, are specific, evocative and inspiring. The snail will make it to the top of the mountain by being true to its nature, moving slowly and deliberately.
Here are some ways you can pare down your next communication, written or spoken, to maximize its impact and enhance your executive presence:
Define your core message: What is the one thing you want your listener or reader to take away? Express it in one sentence. Then three words. Then one word.
Pare away excess language: After you have drafted your email or speech, edit it and cut at least 15%. If you use the verbs ‘to be,’ or “will” ask if there a more active verb to express the idea. Rephrase passive voice sentences in the active voice. Slash unnecessary adjectives. Experiment with image or metaphor: Sometimes an image or metaphor can be extremely powerful. Is there a concrete image you can use to convey what may be an abstract idea?
We may not all be poets. But the lessons of poetry, whether haiku or Presidential, can help make our emails, reports and speeches more powerful, specific and impactful.