Simply Said

About the Author

Jay Sullivan, a former managing partner at Exec|Comm, LLC, has dedicated much of his professional life to enhancing communication skills within the business world. His work at Exec|Comm, a firm specializing in communication skills training for professionals worldwide, forms the foundation of his book Simply Said. The book, published in 2016, has been praised for its practical advice and straightforward approach to business communication, though some critics note that it can be repetitive, particularly in its emphasis on the importance of focusing on others. Sullivan's inspiration for the book stemmed from his experiences and the philosophy developed at Exec|Comm, where the focus on understanding and connecting with others over self-centric communication became a guiding principle.

Main Idea

Simply Said is built on the premise that effective communication is essential for professional success and that true communication stems from an understanding of others' perspectives rather than a focus on our own. Sullivan argues that many communication failures occur because individuals communicate from their own viewpoint without considering how others might perceive their message. He offers a blueprint for delivering clear and compelling messages by starting from the audience's perspective and focusing on what they hope to gain from the communication. The book is structured into three parts: making presentations that capture attention, improving oral communication, and enhancing written communication.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• How to Prepare a Clear and Engaging Message
• How to Improve Your Oral Communication Skills
• How to Write Effective Documents and Emails
• Conclusion

Introduction

The introduction of Simply Said sets the stage for the entire book by underscoring the critical importance of communication in the business world. Sullivan posits that communication skills are not just a valuable tool but the very foundation of professional success. He emphasizes that the smartest ideas or most innovative solutions are rendered useless if they cannot be effectively communicated to others. This introduction draws readers into the central theme of the book: that great communication is less about what you say and more about how well you understand and connect with others.

"You can have the best ideas, but if you can’t persuade others to get on board with them, then you won’t be successful." — Jay Sullivan

How to Prepare a Clear and Engaging Message

In the first part of the book, Sullivan delves into the art of crafting messages that not only reach the audience but resonate with them. He advises that before any communication begins, the speaker must clarify the core message they want to convey. This message should be concise, ideally articulated in a single sentence with fewer than ten words. By boiling down the message to its essence, the speaker ensures that their audience walks away with a clear understanding of the main point.