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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Simply Said summary
Jay Sullivan
Communicating Better at Work and Beyond
20 mins
Brief summary
Simply Said offers straightforward communication strategies to enhance clarity and effectiveness in both personal and professional interactions. Jay Sullivan provides practical tips for crafting messages that resonate and foster understanding.
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Simply Said
Summary of 6 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 6
Building your message
The first step toward powerful communication is a mental shift. That’s because most communicators focus inward on their own expertise, achievements, and carefully crafted content. But this common approach misses what matters most — your audience's needs and interests.
Your audience cares about one thing above all else: how your message affects them. This principle applies whether you are writing an email to your team, giving a major presentation, or having a one-on-one conversation. Your deep knowledge and hard work matter only when you show their direct impact on your listeners' lives, goals, and challenges.
This was true for Ming, a talented software developer presenting a new app to potential investors. Her first draft focused heavily on the elegant code and innovative features she had created. And it didn’t resonate with potential supporters. But when she shifted her presentation to show how the app would save users time and reduce their daily stress, the investors leaned forward with interest.
The strategy of prioritizing your audience is just as powerful in writing. Take Jamal, a department head, for example, as he prepared an announcement about organizational changes. Rather than diving into the complexities of the process, he chose to lead with how the new structure would offer clearer career paths and improve work-life balance for his team. His message struck a chord because he focused on what mattered most to his audience.
To put this approach into practice yourself, the next time you have to communicate about something at work, begin by identifying your audience's core needs and possible concerns before crafting the message. Then frame your content around addressing these specific concerns.
When preparing to communicate in person, consider what matters to your listener, not yourself. The most effective communicators understand this fundamental truth: your expertise provides value only when it serves your audience. By shifting your focus outward and showing genuine care for your listeners' needs, you transform routine messages into meaningful connections that drive real results.
This audience-first mindset takes practice but delivers powerful results. Your messages will land with more impact, your relationships will strengthen, and your influence will grow. Most importantly, you will become known as someone who truly understands and addresses what matters most to others.
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What is Simply Said about?
Simply Said (2016) presents powerful principles for crafting and delivering messages that resonate deeply with your audience, whether in writing, speaking, or leadership roles. The book reveals how focusing on audience impact, mastering delivery techniques, and creating psychologically safe communication environments can transform workplace interactions and drive meaningful results.
Who should read Simply Said?
- Professionals seeking to advance their careers through better communication skills
- Remote team leaders navigating the challenges of virtual communication
- Anyone struggling with difficult workplace conversations looking for better results
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