GENCO MEMO: May 31, 2024
Framework Friday: Curing Scatterbrain Speech with The Secret to Life, Improv Structure, and Via Negativa
Hello.
It's Framework Friday, and I’m going to discuss some practical frameworks to solve a problem I encounter with students, clients, and other attorneys: CONFUSED COMMUNICATION.
Alright, here's the scene.
You are talking to one person. Or maybe you're speaking to a group of people.
And you lose your train of thought a couple sentences in- you go right off the tracks.
You start rambling.
You see the face of confusion in front of you.
Your heart starts racing.
You panic.
Yes, I've been there too.
I have:
Diagnosed it as a case of "scatterbrain speech."
Described it as someone being unexpectedly infected with a case of "muddle-mouth."
Accused others as suffering from a condition of "rambling rabble."
(OK, I just finished binge-watching Harry Potter.)
Getting back to the topic.
The One Thing to remember is that staying on track and getting somewhere is what can make all the difference when you're presenting to clients, collaborating with co-workers, or leading a company.
However, I see students, clients, and colleagues struggle with this all the time.They start talking and immediatly begin rambling, lack focus, and get frustrated.
Since it's Framework Friday, let’s explore some common communication challenges and practical solutions I use so you can overcome them.
Dissecting the Problem
Alright, let's look at some of the critical factors I’ve found that hinder clear and effective communication:
No Point: "What's your point?" If the confused look in front of you didn't give it away, then this question is your first clue that you have veered off and don't have a clear point you're making. I think of it as The Wandering Traveler Problem. For example, imagine you're on a guided tour and the guide starts talking about the history of a landmark but quickly veers off into unrelated topics. You're left confused and unsure about the relevance of the information. It’s kinda like that. Well, when you ramble, your audience also start to feel like lost travelers, unsure of your destination or the significance of what you’re saying.
No Structure: Even if you have a clear point, a lack of structure can cause your message to become chaotic and difficult to follow. Without a logical flow and coherent narrative, your audience may not grasp the significance of what you're saying, how it fits together, or what to focus on.
No Specifics: While being concise is essential, being too vague or general can make your message forgettable. Specific details and examples help to illustrate your points and make them more impactful.
Those are the three most common problems I see.
Now you know.
And as my favorite cartoon growing up taught me, “…knowing is half the battle!”
Now, let's look at three powerful frameworks I use to organize my thoughts, clarify my message, and engage an audience more effectively.
1. The Power of the “One Thing”
The first step to clear communication is having a single, well-defined point.
Yes, just one.
And it’s as simple as just using the word "one" to guide both you and your audience.
I call it the "One Thing" technique.
As a matter of fact, the "One Thing" is the secret to life!
Don’t believe me, watch this:
So how does it work?
First, figure out and list what you want your audience to think or do (i.e., the Think/Do list).
For me, it could be wanting the jury to believe a witness is lying to get a better deal from the government. Or wanting the jury to question a specific piece of evidence.
Second, decide what is that "one thing" on the Think/Do list that all others point or lead to. The other points will be rearranged to support the main point.
Ultimately, what your’re looking for is that all encompassing theme or idea that that creates an “aha!” moment and motivates your audience to take action.
Once you have that figured out, write out your main point using this framework:
"The ONE THING you need to know is INSERT YOUR POINT .”
(For dramatic effect, you can even hold up one finger like Curly in City Slickers.)
Starting with a clear point helps your audience understand the central message immediately. It also allows you to refine and expand upon that point as you continue speaking.
The next step is to include refinements that give your one point more depth and relevance.
The first refinement is including the simple word "because" followed by a list of your reasons or justifications for the one main point. For example,
"The ONE THING you need to know is INSERT YOUR POINT BECAUSE INSERT YOUR REASONS."
A second refinement is to answer the “so what?” question in your audience’s mind by explaining the outcome or benefit they’re going to walk away with. In other words, how they will be in a better position than they are now.
The entire template looks like this,
"The ONE THING you need to know is INSERT YOUR POINT BECAUSE INSERT YOUR REASONS SO THAT INSERT OUTCOME OR BENEFIT.
These techniques help you keep everyone focused and on track and the refinements expand your central idea, giving it more depth and relevance for the listeners.
2. The Three-Line Scene
Once you have your main point, the next step is to structure your message in a way that is easy to follow and remember.
A helpful framework borrowed from improvisational theater is the "three-line scene." Here's how it works:
Set the Scene: Start with your main point (e.g., "The One Thing")
Add Depth: Elaborate on your point with additional details or surprising elements (e.g., "What I mean by successful is that customers loved it and voluntarily created hashtags for us, spreading the word organically.")
Conclude with Action: End with a clear call to action, a thought-provoking question, or provide a clear next step (e.g., "The surprising thing is that despite the success, we didn't see repeat purchases. Here are are next steps moving forward.")
Following this simple three-part structure (Set-Deeper-Action) ensures that your message is clear, memorable, and actionable.
3. The Power of Specificity
Finally, to make your message truly stick, it's essential to use specific details and examples.
But I have found that one of the most effective ways to do this is not by adding more of those details, but actually subtracting them.
This is called the "Via Negativa" approach - defining something by what it is not. Just as a sculptor reveals a statue by removing excess stone, Via Negativa clarifies ideas by eliminating what they are not, eliminating ambiguity, and sharpening your point.
For example, instead of generally saying, "Our software solution is user-friendly," you could say,
"Our software solution is accessible to a wide range of users. What it is not is one that requires extensive technical knowledge, hours of training, or endless calls to tech support.”
You clarify its key benefits and unique selling points by highlighting what your solution is not (i.e., complex and requiring technical expertise).
By the act of removing, you have the effect of further specifying what you are actually talking about. It’s counter-intuitive–but it works.
Putting It All Together
Let's look at how you can apply these ideas in practice:
Preparation: Before any important communication, take a moment to identify your one main point.
Ask yourself, "What is the "one thing" I want my audience to take away?"
Organization: Use the "three-line scene structure" to organize your thoughts.
Start with your main point, add depth and detail, and conclude with a clear call to action or question.
Refinement: Review your message and look for opportunities to add specific details and examples.
Use the Via Negativa approach to clarify your points by highlighting what they are not.
I hope this helps some in organizing your thinking the next time you have to give a talk or present an idea to others.
To practice, try out some of these ideas as you write emails or try to through one in during regular conversation.
Remember, the one thing that matters is have a specific destination and stay on track until you get there.
See how that works.
That is all.
Have a good weekend.