The Struggle for Conciseness

I have often grappled with the challenge of being succinct. It’s a skill that every writer should hone, yet being concise in storytelling differs greatly from doing so in email communication. Our society places a premium on brevity, often leading to replies that are reduced to a single word or emails stripped down to a mere few lines in a bid to catch attention.

This emphasis on brevity can sometimes feel like a superficial attempt to respect others’ time, but in truth, it can come off as disingenuous. The pressure to be concise often stems from the desire to engage individuals who may not be interested. While I understand the importance of this approach in sales and recruitment—something I learned through years of sending countless cold emails—there’s a deeper longing behind each message: a yearning for connection.

Each email I crafted was infused with my desperation for a response. I employed a concise style, aiming to project clarity and determination, while also adopting an air of indifference, believing it would enhance my chances in negotiations. After all, email exchanges are essentially negotiations for someone’s time and focus.

Numerous resources—from books to lectures—advise keeping communications short and to the point. However, this notion has never resonated with me. I find greater satisfaction in sending lengthy emails as my initial outreach. Many skeptics have told me it wouldn’t be effective, yet these comprehensive messages have brought me more joy than terse paragraphs that reduce complex thoughts into a single line.

Consider interviews. A first date often involves lengthy conversations over dinner or coffee, where individuals explore whether they want to continue the relationship. Yet, in the hiring process, initial interviews are frequently limited to a mere 30 minutes. If those early rounds are so brief, why even conduct them? Wouldn’t a longer conversation yield deeper insights into the person being considered for a role?

Section 1.1: The Disconnect in Hiring Practices

When an interviewer asks, “Tell me about yourself in about 10 minutes,” it reflects a fundamental truth: they don’t genuinely care. If they did, they wouldn’t reduce a person’s life story to a mere fraction of an hour. Instead, this structure suggests a lack of investment in the individuals they are evaluating.

Efforts to rationalize such practices often cite efficiency or effectiveness, terms borrowed from the industrial world. Yet, the reality remains that it signifies a lack of empathy for the candidate’s narrative. Life cannot be condensed into soundbites or brief exchanges; it is rich and complex.

While I don’t entirely reject modern recruitment methods, I do believe they often miss the mark. As long as organizations perpetuate the trend of short interviews and superficial questions, they are, in essence, disregarding the human element in their hiring processes.

Subsection 1.1.1: The Meaning of Conciseness

In essence, conciseness can signal a lack of regard for the individual on the other end. It’s a quest for results that fits within a predetermined framework, devoid of consideration for the person involved. For genuine connections to flourish, we must embrace longer discussions and emails that encapsulate the entirety of a person’s context.

My lengthy emails, often exceeding 1000 words, have proven effective in capturing the attention of those I admire. Perhaps this is the key: by infusing humanity, care, and effort into our communication, we elicit responses from those who truly care.

Chapter 2: The Value of Authentic Communication

Video Title: What You Should Know About Email Etiquette AND Why It's Important | #Indeed #Shorts

This video sheds light on the significance of email etiquette and how it can influence professional relationships and communication effectiveness.

Video Title: S01E04 Writing Without BS - YouTube

In this episode, the focus is on eliminating unnecessary filler in writing, fostering clarity and authenticity in communication.

Ultimately, the call to action is clear: write long, honest emails. Cultivate conversations that are designed to connect with others on a human level. Forget the tips that prioritize quick responses; I revel in reading detailed accounts from my students and subscribers, as they reflect care and commitment.

While I appreciate simplicity in design and writing, it should always be underpinned by sincerity and humanity. In the words of Einstein, everything should be expressed in its simplest form, but never simpler. The forgetfulness of that last part has led us to reduce communication to sterile exchanges devoid of human connection. Why compromise our humanity?