GET TO THE POINT
Andrea Pacini —
During the Second World War, Winston Churchill issued a memo to his staff titled ‘Brevity.’
The message was simple: keep reports short.
He wanted clarity. He wanted decisions. And he knew long, vague writing slowed everything down.
Churchill requested short reports with the main points in clear, crisp paragraphs. He pushed his team to avoid what he called “woolly phrases” and official jargon that impeded clear thinking.
He encouraged direct language – even if it sounded a bit informal. What mattered was getting the point across, fast.
That same principle still applies today.
Brevity helps you get heard.
The goal is to say what matters – without wasting time.
That’s how you respect your audience – and keep things moving.
This reflection is adapted from Timeless Presenter, my book on the principles of communication that never expire.