Chapter 1 of 66 min
Lead with the bottom line
Busy listeners decide in seconds whether to pay attention. Putting your conclusion or request first respects their time and makes everything after it easier to follow.
Key ideas
- Answer first, then explain.
- One message, one main point.
- Supporting points should be grouped, not listed endlessly.
Step by step
- 1
Write your main point or request in one sentence.
- 2
Put it first in the message or meeting.
- 3
Add two or three supporting reasons.
- 4
End with the specific next step and owner.
Example
Instead of narrating the week, a project lead opens with 'We will miss the launch date by one week unless we add a tester; I need approval today.' The decision takes two minutes.
Your drill
Rewrite your last long email so the first sentence contains the conclusion or request.
Common mistakes
- Building up to the point through background.
- Burying the request in the last paragraph.
Check yourself
What belongs in the first sentence of a business message?
Show the answer
The main conclusion or the request you need.
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