March 7, 2008

“We’re running behind and short on time.”

“Okay, I understand.  Would you like me to say less or talk faster?”

“Say less.”

We all have a tendency to believe that the messages we deliver and the information we share should be the most important items on everyone’s agenda.  Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case.

Several years ago and for many years prior, a group of us always participated in a quarterly program review.  This review was the mechanism used by our employer to take profits.  In simple terms, at the end of a calendar quarter, each division reported status.  The results of those inputs were tallied by division and became the basis for financial reporting.  It was not usual for the reviews to run behind schedule.  One division with bad news could throw the entire day’s agenda completely off course.

On the occasion of this “They Said It” entry, a good friend had lots of good news to share.  He was nearly giddy with anticipation as the review date approached.  The day finally arrived.  The first several divisions on the agenda delivered dismal results.  The mood in the room was sour and the time was far spent. 

My friend started his presentation as the eternal optimist.  He began to run through his results in great detail, obviously enthused about each good news item.  The interruption to my buddy’s presentation was curt, “We’re running behind and short on time.”

A bit deflated, my friend replied, “Okay, I understand.  Would you like me to say less or talk faster?”

The laconic response deadpanned, “Say less.”

His exciting message fell on ears and minds distracted and annoyed.  He said less, much less in fact, than planned.  He got off the stage quickly. 

We still laugh about “saying less” instead of “talking faster”.  When the message is good, it shouldn’t really matter.