Many teams struggle to stay aligned due to an onslaught of chat messages and emails, many of which important yet overly complex information. In a culture where details are important, and transparent communication is valued, it can be tough to know where to draw the line. Sometimes it takes one person to raise their hand and say, “Hey, this is too much” in order to address the issue.
We saw it happen in a team who brevity and a lot of trust to be more efficient. Their story shows how focusing on essentials can improve clarity, efficiency, and team morale.
A team’s journey to clarity through brevity
The product development team was stretched thin at a rapidly growing tech startup. Meetings dragged on, email threads were overwhelming, and project updates became difficult to follow. They were a motivated team who were able to organize their work, but they lacked a project manager. The team was led by a senior developer, who was doing his best to keep up with his work while leading the effort. Often, his emails, slack messages, and sometimes even Slack voicemails would drone on, providing details without getting to the point.
The team lead noticed that things were not right. People were frustrated by him, and he wasn’t get what he needed from the team. He asked for advice. In so many words, from so many people, he found that his communications were “rambling” and “chaotic.” The feedback was clear: he needed to slow down and work on being a better communicator. First, he adopted a rule to keep all communications concise, focusing on essential information only. In emails, he focused on clear messaging and asks, and started to use smarter formatting, including bullet points and highlighted key points. He also made meetings less chaotic by writing clear agendas, with expectations of how each attendee in the meeting would participate, and how much time they’d have. It was eye-opening for him to see how much time he had been wasting in composing long, rambling messages. He now had a new framework for being clear and concise, and it worked. .
The transformation was immediate. Team members felt less overwhelmed, with key points easier to identify and respond to. Collaboration improved because no one had to wade through long communications to interpret what was needed of them. Projects started moving forward more smoothly, and people seemed happier. The shift toward brevity crept into the team. It was as if he’d set a new tone for quick, to-the-point communication that fostered a sense of respect, as team members felt their time was valued. Saving time and headaches with clear, focused communication effecively created a more harmonious, efficient workplace.
Why brevity enhances focus and connection
The preference for concise communication isn’t just practical; it’s deeply rooted in human psychology and cultural history. Our brains are wired to process information in short, digestible chunks. Long-winded messages can lead to cognitive overload, where our capacity to absorb and retain information diminishes.
The value of brevity in social interactions — From an anthropological perspective, brevity plays a critical role in our social interactions. In traditional societies, concise communication was essential for passing on information quickly and efficiently. Today, this value remains relevant in fast-paced work environments. According to studies from Harvard University, individuals are more likely to remember concise messages and act on them, as the essential points are easier to recall.
How brevity fosters psychological safety — Concise communication creates a psychologically safe environment by reducing ambiguity and promoting clarity. There’s less room for misinterpretation in a concise message, allowing team members to feel secure in their understanding and contributions. Google’s Project Aristotle found that clear communication, including concise instructions and expectations, is one of the strongest predictors of team success and psychological safety .
The impact of focused communication on team transparency — Keeping communication concise supports transparency by ensuring information is clear and accessible to everyone. When information is shared in a clear, straightforward manner, it builds trust and reinforces the idea that everyone is on the same page. This transparency strengthens team bonds and creates a foundation for a collaborative culture.
T L ; D R : The decision to embrace concise communication isn’t just a stylistic choice; it’s a strategic one. By focusing on essentials, a team reduced cognitive overload, improved alignment, and fostered an environment of trust and respect.
For any team looking to improve communication, adopting a concise approach can be transformative. When messages are short, focused, and clear, team members can absorb and respond quickly, reducing stress and boosting productivity. Embracing conciseness is more than a communication style—it’s a way to enhance focus, foster transparency, and build a psychologically safe workplace.
