Earlier this month, in one of my 1-Minute Monday videos, I shared my friend Julie’s strategy for getting better sleep. I’d been complaining about disruptive thoughts that were keeping me up at night. The resulting fatigue was squelching my energy and my creativity. Not good, given my profession.
“I got you,” she said. “Just play the Alphabet Game.”
Yep, the same A B C game you used to play on road trips. But instead of choosing an ordinary topic like fruits and vegetables, Julie recommended that I ponder something unusual—something that would distract me from the negative swirl of worries and what ifs.
People, this works! I’m sleeping much better, and I’m exploring all kinds of topics alphabetically. What brands do I admire? What belongs on my bucket list? Who’s been a positive influence in my life?
The alphabet has crept into my daytime thoughts as well. And so, as I considered how to share something helpful with you before October becomes November, I opted for an alphabetical approach.
I give you:
The ABCs of Business Communication.
A is for Accurate
Whether data, dates, or quotes, make sure every detail is correct before you hit “send.” Inaccuracy obliterates trust and credibility.
B is for Brief
Say it simply. Say it fast. In business communication, brevity signals respect for your audience’s time.
C is for Concrete
Use real examples and specific details to make your message tangible and memorable.
D is for Direct
Don’t bury your message in qualifiers or buzzwords. Say what you mean. Choose clarity over cleverness.
E is for Energetic
Infuse your message with energy by using active verbs, a positive tone, and strong calls to action.
F is for Focused
Every message needs a purpose. Stick to it. A focused message is more likely to be understood, remembered, and persuasive.
G is for Genuine
Communicate like a real person, not like an AI bot on autopilot. People can feel the difference.
H is for Helpful
If a message adds no value, don’t share it. Make sure you’re giving your audience something useful.
I is for Insightful
Show that you understand your audience and their perspective and that you have something valuable to offer.
J is for Jargon-free
Industry terms might impress peers and leaders but alienate your target audience. Use plain, clear language that anyone can grasp.
K is for Kind
Courtesy, empathy, and patience can turn even a tough message into a constructive conversation.
L is for Logical
Structure your thoughts. Lead with the big idea, back it up with proof points, and emphasize action.
M is for Memorable
Stories, metaphors, and visuals help a message stick. People may will forget your slides, but they’ll remember how you made them feel.
N is for Nuanced
Know the gray areas. Balance clarity of message with clear regard for your audience’s interests and sensitivities.
O is for Open
Good communication invites response. Ask questions, listen, and encourage conversation. Think dialogue, not monologue.
P is for Persuasive
Whether you’re selling a product, promoting an idea, or inspiring action, connect to the head and the heart with logic and emotion.
Q is for Quick to clarify
Confusion stalls or stops action. If something could be misunderstood, clear it up before you lose your audience.
R is for Relevant
Everything you say or share must serve your audience. If it doesn’t, it’s noise.
S is for Strategic
Know what your message must achieve, and then choose every word and image to fulfill that purpose.
T is for Timely
Choose the right moment to share your message. Hint: the time needs to be right for your audience, not just convenient for you.
U is for Understandable
Simplify. The best communicators make hard things easy to grasp.
V is for Visual
Appeal to your audience’s sense of sight. With images and good design, you can guide people to see precisely what you mean.
W is for Warm
Professional doesn’t mean robotic. Adopt a friendly tone. Let your individual or brand personality shine through.
X is for eXpectation-setting
Never leave your business audience wondering. Be clear about what you and/or they must do next.
Y is for You-centered
Focus on “you,” not “I” or “we.” Make your audience the central character in the story.
Z is for Zen
Avoid overwhelming your message, your audience, or yourself. Keep calm and communicate on.
There you have it: 26 reminders that good communication, like a good night’s sleep, depends on a clear head, a sense of purpose, and a focus on the desirable outcome.
No need to master all of these qualities at once. Try homing in on two or three letters at a time, so you can channel your energy into focused improvement. How about starting with your own initials?
Let me know how it goes.
