Speak So People Want to Listen

⏳ Read Time: Less than 4 min

Welcome back to The Winning Edge—your weekly toolkit for sharper communication, stronger leadership, and the kind of clarity that cuts through noise.

Let’s talk about something that seems simple... but isn’t:

🗣️ Communication.

We do it all day—but how often do we do it with impact?

This week, we’re unpacking Winning Communication—the habits, shifts, and science-backed techniques that help you speak with clarity, authority, and trust (without trying so hard).
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This Week’s Insights

✅ Say Less, Mean More – The “tight language” method that makes every word hit
✅ The Credibility Trigger – How to earn trust in the first 30 seconds
✅ “Loop Back” Listening – A simple habit that makes people feel instantly understood
✅ Frictionless Messaging – Reduce back-and-forth with this one format
✅ Recommended Read – A communication classic that rewires how you speak and write

THE MAIN EVENT
🎤 Speak So People Want to Listen

💬 Winning Communication: Speak So People Want to Listen

Great communicators aren’t just articulate—they’re intentional.

They understand that every word either builds clarity… or causes confusion.

Here are four high-impact shifts to level up your communication—starting now:

🔹 1. Say Less, Mean More

Most people overwrite, overtalk, and over-explain.

Here’s the fix: Use tight language—a speaking and writing habit where every sentence earns its place.

🧠 Before you speak or hit send, ask: “Can I say this with fewer words and more punch?” Examples:

Instead of: “I was just thinking maybe we could try…” Say: “Let’s test this.” Confidence is concise.

🔹 2. Trigger Instant Credibility

Want people to trust you in the first 30 seconds?

Use the “credibility trigger”: A short sentence that shows you've done the work and understand the stakes.

“I’ve helped three teams solve this exact problem in the last six months.” It’s not bragging—it’s positioning. And it opens ears.

🔹 3. Practice “Loop Back” Listening

This habit instantly builds trust and clarity:

Listen fully Paraphrase back what you heard Then ask, “Did I get that right?” It makes people feel seen and avoids misalignment. This is how great leaders eliminate friction before it starts.

🔹 4. Frictionless Messaging

Want fewer emails, less back-and-forth, and faster decisions?

Use this message structure:

• 1 line of context

• 1 clear ask

• 2-3 short options

“Quick context: We’re finalizing the client deck. Can you pick one of these by 3pm?”
✅ Option A: Data-focused
✅ Option B: Story-led
✅ Option C: Hybrid

Simple. Structured. Fast.

QUICK HITTERS: Fast Wins for the Week

💡 Tip of the Week: Start your next meeting with this phrase: “Here’s what success looks like for this conversation...” Instant clarity.

📊 Stat of the Week: People retain 3x more from conversations that include visual metaphors. (Source: Harvard Business Review)

🎭 Power Move: Replace filler words with a pause. It feels uncomfortable—but sounds powerful.

📖 Recommended Read: “Smart Brevity” by Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz – A modern guide to saying more by saying less, from the team behind Axios.

WEEKLY DEEP DIVE
The Clarity Compounding Effect: Why Clean Communication Wins Long-Term

Here's the underrated truth: clear communicators don’t just sound smart—they get promoted faster, win more deals, and avoid 90% of unnecessary conflict.

That’s the Clarity Compounding Effect: Every time you speak with precision, you:

• Save time

• Build trust

• Move the team forward faster

And the more you do it, the more it pays off.

Here’s how to start compounding:

1️⃣ Use “Language Buffers” to Defuse Tension

Instead of: “You’re not getting it...”
Say: “Let me try that a different way...”

2️⃣ Default to Action, Not Ambiguity

Replace: “Let’s circle back”
With: “Let’s check in Wednesday at 2pm.”

3️⃣ Build Your Personal Communication Rules

Decide:

• How you open meetings

• How you give feedback

• How you signal clarity or alignment

These micro-decisions become your leadership brand.

AI TIP OF THE WEEK

📌 Tool: Wordtune – Upgrade Your Writing in Seconds

What it does:
✅ Rewrites your sentences to be clearer, more professional, or more casual ✅ Perfect for emails, LinkedIn posts, or internal docs
✅ Highlights tone, intent, and brevity opportunities

🔗 Try it at wordtune.com

🧠 Why it matters: Your writing is your communication. Let AI help you sharpen your message—not just your grammar.

WINNING WITH AI: The Future of Sales Proposals and Presentations

AI isn’t just for tech geeks or big corporations—it’s transforming how we sell, present, and communicate. The best sales teams are already using AI to:
✅ Generate compelling, tailored proposals in minutes (not hours).
✅ Turn data into engaging, visual stories that capture attention.
✅ Automate tedious tasks so they can focus on closing deals instead.

This isn’t the future—it’s happening right now.

Get your copy of my ebook here!

STEPS & COMMUNITY QUESTION

🎯 Try the Frictionless Message Format this week in one email or Slack thread.

✅ Context
✅ Ask
✅ 2-3 clear options

Then hit reply and tell me: What happened when you made your message impossible to misunderstand?

P.S.
Next week, we’re diving into Leadership & Influence—including the power signals that make people trust you, follow you, and take action (even when you don’t have authority on paper).

You’re not just speaking well—you’re leading with intention.

YOUR OPINION MATTERS!

If you have more feedback or just want to get in touch, respond to this email, and we’ll get back to you!

Thanks for reading!

Until next week!

Mary Beth