Brief audiobook cover - Make a Bigger Impact by Saying Less

Brief

Make a Bigger Impact by Saying Less

Joseph McCormack

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Communication Skills

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Key Takeaways from Brief

Learning Tools

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Mind Map

Brief
The Need for Brevity+
Obstacles to Brevity+
Strategies for Simplification+
Effective Storytelling+
Conversational Brevity+
Brevity as Respect+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 9
Why does the author suggest 'speaking in headlines' during presentations?
  • A. To slowly build suspense so the audience stays engaged until the end.
  • B. To mimic the style of newspaper articles for better visual learning.
  • C. To summarize what you have just talked about at the conclusion.
  • D. To ensure you get your main point across immediately before the audience loses focus.
Question 2 of 9
According to the text, how does feeling comfortable or being an expert act as a subconscious obstacle to brevity?
  • A. It leads you to over-explain technical details or share too much in familiar contexts.
  • B. It makes you nervous, causing you to stutter and repeat information unnecessarily.
  • C. It causes you to underestimate the intelligence of your audience and talk down to them.
  • D. It prevents you from using visual aids, relying entirely on verbal communication.
Question 3 of 9
What does the 'R' in the BRIEF mind map stand for?
  • A. Results or Returns
  • B. Reactions or Responses
  • C. Reasons or Relevance
  • D. Review or Recap
Question 4 of 9
Why does the author strongly emphasize the use of visual aids in communication?
  • A. Visuals allow the speaker to avoid answering difficult follow-up questions.
  • B. Visual aids help to disguise a lack of preparation or weak data.
  • C. It takes significantly less time to create an infographic than to write out a presentation.
  • D. People tend to remember about 80 percent of what they see, compared to only 10 percent of what they hear.
Question 5 of 9
When using a narrative map to craft a story, what are the four key components you should elaborate on from your central idea?
  • A. Introduction, Conflict, Climax, Resolution
  • B. Challenge, Opportunity, Approach, Payoff
  • C. Background, Relevance, Information, Ending
  • D. Myth, Fable, Satire, Moral
Question 6 of 9
What common mistake does the author warn against when turning business information into a story?
  • A. Using personal anecdotes that make the speaker look too vulnerable.
  • B. Focusing too much on the 'payoff' rather than the initial 'challenge.'
  • C. Turning the business story into an esoteric fairytale, fable, or myth.
  • D. Making the story too relatable to the audience's everyday lives.
Question 7 of 9
What analogy does the author use to describe a balanced, controlled conversation using the TALC method?
  • A. A game of chess, where you anticipate your partner's next five moves.
  • B. A game of golf, where you patiently wait for your turn to tee off.
  • C. A marathon, where pacing yourself ensures you make it to the end.
  • D. A game of tennis, where you actively react to the move your partner makes.
Question 8 of 9
How does Google effectively enforce brevity and respect for time during their meetings?
  • A. They require all attendees to stand up for the duration of the meeting.
  • B. They project a countdown timer on the wall of the conference room.
  • C. They limit all company meetings to a maximum of 15 minutes.
  • D. They assign a strict word count for each presenter.
Question 9 of 9
What is the author's advice regarding delivering bad news in a professional setting?
  • A. Share it quickly and succinctly, divulging only the most meaningful facts to minimize the pain.
  • B. Bury the bad news between two pieces of good news to soften the psychological blow.
  • C. Explain all the detailed context first so the recipient understands it wasn't your fault.
  • D. Avoid sharing bad news in person; always use a well-crafted email instead.

Brief — Full Chapter Overview

Brief Summary & Overview

Brief (2014) is a guide to having more impact and influence by saying less. These blinks show the reader the power of brevity in the information age, explain the barriers to being brief and give helpful instructions on how to improve your communication while saving your own time and everybody else’s.

Who Should Listen to Brief?

  • Anyone interested in improving their communication skills
  • Those wanting to grab the attention of others
  • Business leaders whose ideas need to stand out

About the Author: Joseph McCormack

Joseph McCormack is an expert on corporate storytelling and transmitting information through narrative. He has provided communications consultation to a wide range of professionals from military leaders to senior executives of companies like SAP, MasterCard and Harley-Davidson.

 

Joseph McCormack: Brief Copyright 2014, John Wiley & Sons Inc. Used by permission of John Wiley & Sons Inc. and shall not be made available to any unauthorized third parties.

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