If there’s one thing I despise, it is senseless yapping that serves no purpose.  Some people think that if they talk most of the time, it makes them sound sophisticated. Or, they think others will be impressed by the quantity of their words.  They think their ideas are so valuable that everyone must hear what’s going on in their head, and everything that comes out of their mouth sounds like the harmonious singing of angels.  But, in reality everyone in the room is thinking the same thing: “I really wish they would let someone else talk.”  There’s a valuable lesson to be learned from an excerpt of one of my favorite passages from the Bible:

…let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak,..

- James 1:19b

Use Your Head-Handles

If business people could begin to use their ears as much as they use their tongues, they would begin to really understand the needs and expectations of their clients.  I don’t like to be in a meeting that is totally dominated by one person, especially if that person dominates every meeting and every conversation they have.  Other people could have valuable input if the domineering lecturer would take a breath or two inbetween thoughts.  As long as one person is doing all the talking no one else if of any value.  Instead, the babbler could begin to use his ears, to first gather critical information, take time to process it and think about ways to implement the idea.  I think some people are only thinking of what they’re going to say next while their mouth is shut instead of listening to others.  Another jewel from the Bible:

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

- Proverbs 17:28

Communication Should Be Action-Oriented

The reason why many meetings are failures is simple, the continuous talking leads to absolutely nothing because most of what is talked about doesn’t relate to action. I believe all communication should be followed by action. The appropriate actions that should be taken should be at the forefront of the meeting-goers mind at all times, and only what is relevant should be discussed.  You’ll find at times that most of what is said is meaningless chatter, anyway.  Then, appropriate measures should be planned and implemented. There’s no sense in talking about things that you’re not going to do anyway. Statistics show that you can’t hold people’s attention for more than 50 minutes or so before people begin to tune you out like you’re Charlie Brown’s teacher. So keep it tight, and only talk about meaningful, relevant information and take steps of action so you won’t have to come back next week and repeat yourself all over again only to find out that you didn’t get anywhere.