Clarity is not about saying more. It is about removing everything that is not necessary. This came home to me last year when I attended a talk based on the book “Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less,” by Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz.

Holding up my mirror of self-reflection, it was apparent to me that my weekly columns were too long. My columns used to run 750 to 800 words and are now usually below 500 words. 

Looking for a great communicator? Try Mister Rogers. Though he passed, he is still with many of us in our hearts and minds. In 1997, Mister Rogers received a Lifetime Achievement Daytime Emmy Award. When he walked toward the stage, the audience erupted in applause and, yes, tears. 

He started his talk with this, “All of us have special ones who have loved us into being. Would you just take, along with me, 10 seconds to think of the people who have helped you become who you are…10 seconds of silence.” He then looked at his watch, and the room fell silent. After the silence, he said, “Whomever you’ve been thinking about, how pleased they must be to know the difference you feel they have made.”

His talk was short. He role modeled noble traits.

The message was grounded in simplicity. No self-promotion, no long anecdotes. It was a reflection.

He conveyed emotional intelligence. He moved a glittering award ceremony into a shared human experience. 

His philosophy was to focus on people, gratitude, and quiet influence.

This is why his neighborhood mattered so much. This is why our neighborhoods are so important. 

Learnings from Mister Rogers:

* Be brief. Remove what is not necessary, so what remains has impact.

* Shift the focus to others. Elevate others. It was never about him.

* Silence is our friend. While it can feel uncomfortable, it allows a thought to sink in.

* Make actions doable. Everyone could think of the “special ones who have loved us into being.”

* Communicate clearly. Be repeatable. Emotionally resonate with the listener. Keep the messages simple and inclusive.

* Create shared experiences. This unifies the group. Look for commonalities. Everyone could do what was asked.

* End with a positive affirmation. “How pleased they must be to know the difference you feel they have made.”

In my presentations, my goal is to have people feel better and appreciate whom they are, and to suggest actions that will be helpful. 

I often use Mister Rogers’ exercise with groups. When the 10 seconds are over, I can see that people feel better having thought of someone who impacted them in a positive way. 

I then say, “If I did this same exercise with people who know you, the person they would think about is you.”

Never underestimate the difference you make.

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Quint Studer is the author of 16 books on leadership in the workplace and the community. His book “Building a Vibrant Community” is a valuable resource for civic leaders, business owners, and all citizens who have a stake in building a community they can be proud to call home. In Sundays with Quint, he shares a selection of his popular leadership columns for leaders, employees, and business owners in all industries. He can be reached at Quint@QuintStuder.com.