“You can have brilliant ideas, but if you can’t get them across, your ideas won’t get you anywhere.”
- Lee Iacocca (1924 – 2019), CEO, author and leadership scion
Ideas, as you all know, are the currency of Difference-Makers. And, if they’re not used, they won’t move the needle. It’s like my buddy’s first nickel, which he keeps next to his gun in the bedside table, because ideas don’t do a nickel’s worth of good if they’re not conveyed. (He’s still got his most-recent nickel, too, so don’t worry ’bout him!)
Grammarly tells me I’m not a “great” writer — and I wouldn’t claim to be, anyway. Getting ideas across, though, is a good mental picture for us to have. After a stunning verbal presentation, a written proposal is almost always expected. Sometimes, and we should aim to limit them, the decision-maker isn’t in the room, and we have to help the gatekeeper convey the idea.
Let’s use one last illustration, the hand-written thank you note. Imagine you and your significant-other went to a great party Saturday night and you’re sending the HWN (Pat Heston would expect you to, by the way) to the hosts.
Option #1: “I had such a great time Saturday night! Thank you, for inviting me. I especially liked the food and the signature drink you prepared.”
Option #2: “You’re an exceptional host. Your party, right down to the last details, was the hit of the season. Even your signature cocktail made all of your guests feel special. Thank you for a wonderful time!”
When we write, let’s keep our “you-to-I-ratio” in mind. Let’s make it about the recipient, and then the idea, and not much about us. It should help get the point across, and, it should help make a difference.
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