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I always laugh when people suggest books to teach. Sit down with them and explain what they’re doing makes things complicated and provide guidance on how to make it better.
I think you need to sit down more than twice. I also think examples or great decks will help them.
We’ve all been there when our bosses have told us that we’re overwriting. Simplicty takes a lot of time to nail. Most people dont really get it until several years in.
I have this issue with an indirect report. You can literally see people’s eyes glaze over as she speaks which sucks because her content is right.
I have started asking her for the tl;dr version or ask her to break down the problem and proposed solution in two sentences each. She’s had to reassess how she presents. If she can’t get there I say “so what I’m hearing is...” so she understands how to boil it down.
I’ve also asked for emails structured that way with additional context clearly labeled as such and below the summary and solution paragraphs. I’ve forwarded her some examples so she has something to work off of, but so that I’m not re-doing her work.
So far, so good.
Take examples of her work. Redo it how you would have. Draw direct comparisons because she will then emulate you, so make sure you do it right and how you want it done and illustrate how it would be different in xyz way for xyz situation. Be casual about it. Don’t make it into a big deal. Have her use Grammarly, it’s free and will tell you if you’re being long winded.
Also give her time to prep. She may need to gain confidence.
I had a similar issue with someone on my team recently. There was a particular example (a too-long email they had written) I focused the feedback on before making it thematic. I pointed out the great things about that email (great level of detail, clearly on top of it, etc) but then encouraged them to keep in mind the context of who they’re sending that level of detail to. None of ppl on the thread needed to know all of that. Then ask them if you’re feedback makes sense/what they think and go from there. Most important thing is tone - just be casual about it (assuming she hasn’t done anything detrimental yet/it’s your first time vocalizing this issue)
I actually have this issue. Here’s what helped: I have a strong ECD whom I mirror. (My brian is faster than my mouth and things come out muddled and frantic sometimes. She’s been honest with me, in a supportive and positive way. If I start doing this in a meeting, she asks me a direct question, like, “what story are you trying to tell with this idea.”
Give them constraints. Top 5 to 10 points if it’s a deck. Limit to 3 sentences per paragraph if it’s an email or a memo. Word counts per slide. Time limits. Pecha kucha. She’ll be a pro in no time.