1. DON'T OVER-EXPLAIN
Everyone could use more preparation and self-editing. "Put yourself in the shoes of the person you are communicating with. Ask yourself: is there too much information they don’t need to know?" he says.
Whether sharing bad news or negative feedback, or simply sharing a new idea that you’ve fallen in love with, McCormack says take yourself out of it. "Out of empathy and respect for the other person, don’t over-explain."
2. USE THE 5 WS
McCormack’s a fan of the journalistic approach to narrative. Keeping the who, what, where, when, and why top of mind can convert even the most complex ideas into an intriguing story for an audience.
3. REPLACE WORDS WITH IMAGES
You don’t need to be Picasso to use pictures to make a compelling point. McCormack says he recently saw an executive team describe a five-year vision by drawing stick figure pictures. "There’s a sense of vulnerability because you want people to understand," he says, which makes a presentation more memorable. Videos and photographs work, too. "Do a little research on representative images online. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just interesting and connected to the topic."
4. HARNESS THE POWER OF THE PAUSE
Especially in interviews or annual reviews, McCormack calls on the power of the pause. "They are strong weapon for brevity because it shows discipline, and doesn’t allow you to leak your nervousness and say things you didn’t intend." Feel uncomfortable with silence? McCormack suggests looking at it this way: "It gives the person a chance to process what you just said."
5. MAP YOUR COMMUNICATION
Speak in headlines and use a mind map, he advises. Before you press send, make a visual outline of your communication. Have the main point in the middle and concentric circles with a couple of other supporting facts around it. "People will thank you for it."