The biggest problem I see in docs and decks is that the main idea is buried.
This is often because people haven’t really dug deep to work out what it needs to be.
In other words, the point of view doesn’t jump out at you.
It turns out that my ‘friend’ Claude (Anthropic’s AI tool) suggests that this matches AI’s biggest communication failing.
The reason is intriguing. Having a point of view is risky. AI’s primary goal is to avoid being wrong.
A bit like a human!
But having a point of view is what we professional humans are paid for.
So, here’s what to watch for in your communication, especially when your AI ‘friend’ has had a hand in drafting it.
Blandness. Offer your insightful point of view so clearly it can’t be missed.
Hedging. Don’t say, ‘There are many factors to consider.' Name the factors.
Symmetry. Three bullet points of equal weight are a big giveaway. This means you haven’t decided which point actually matters most.
Vagueness. Don’t say ‘significantly improved'; quantify it. Don’t say, ‘We experienced a wide range of challenges’; explain which ones are causing problems.
Excessive framing. Too many words trying to help the flow but not doing any actual work. Watch for words like ‘moreover' and ‘furthermore’.
So, whether you or your AI ‘friend’ drafts your communication, commit to a position and make it easy to find.
More soon,
Davina
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ABOUT AUTHOR: DAVINA STANLEY
Davina helps senior leaders and their teams prepare high-quality papers and presentations in a fraction of the time, nailing the message that engages decision makers fast.
She learned structured thinking at McKinsey in Hong Kong in the 1990s, was approved to teach the Pyramid Principle by Barbara Minto in 2009, and has coached leaders and teams globally for 25+ years. Clients report cutting review cycles by ~30% and prep time by ~20%.*
Recent clients include 7Eleven, KPMG, Mercer, Meta, and Woolworths.
Learn more at www.clarityfirstprogram.com
* Based on 2023 client benchmarking results.
