Good morning colleagues:
This week I have been challenged by students and clients regarding the art of communication. The question I return to time and time again is why do we make things so much more complex than needed?
Professionally, we think within our industry, laden with jargon, acronyms, and complexity that an outsider may not have a clue what we are talking about. In academia, the same thing happens within the Ivory Tower. Our question to consider is: might there be a better way around this mulberry bush?
Several clients and I discussed the idea of brevity. Why use 10 words, when 4 will do? Why use lengthy words, specialized, jargon specific that few but those in your industry understand words, when simple would be easier? Where does this idea that we must be verbose or nebulous in our choice of words come from? What happened to simple?
If we look at the art of communication, the equation is eloquently simple: Sender sends a message; receiver decodes, understands, and acts on message. IF your receiver can’t decode your message, then communication is not achieved.
Again, I ask, whatever happened to simple?
Thoughts to ponder further this week my friends. Happy thinking!
Dr. Cheryl Lentz
The Academic EntreprenuerTM
