One of the most overlooked superpowers in a founder is concisely answering questions. Here’s why it matters: -- A clear, direct answer builds trust and credibility. -- Long-winded explanations signal unpreparedness or a lack of focus. -- It shows confidence—you don’t need extra words when you know what you're talking about. 🔑 Tips for nailing concise answers: 1️⃣ Answer the question directly—no tangents, no fluff. 2️⃣ Provide context, not excuses. If something needs clarification, keep it brief. 3️⃣ Prepare for FAQs. Investors, partners, and customers often ask the same questions—be ready. 4️⃣ Know when to stop talking. If they want more details, they’ll ask. The goal is to leave your audience informed, not overwhelmed.
Katie Dunn agreed. Having been on both sides of this, it can be a delicate balance of too much/ not enough information but agreed especially with -- Long-winded explanations signal unpreparedness or a lack of focus. I see this a lot with early stage companies and coach them on this. This definitely hits on the mark.... It shows confidence—you don’t need extra words when you know what you're talking about.
Knowing when to stop talking is hard but a powerful discipline to develop. I have seen people talk themselves out of deals.
💯 Katie Dunn clarity means you know your stuff.
Absolutely agree. Concise answers are a game-changer for founders: they show you’re sharp, prepared, and respectful of others’ time. Being succinct doesn’t just convey confidence: it keeps the conversation focused, leaving room for deeper, more meaningful discussions. 🚀
So true.
Such a great point! Being clear and concise really does show confidence and respect.
Spot on! Concise responses how clarity and confidence.
It really is its own skill to interpret the right question out of the stated question to provide a concise answer. Recognizing that I have infinite context to my own ideas and ideals also often leads me to less concise answers as I pile on info outside its nuance, which often yields counterintuitive results in the form of Unclear complex specificity to what should be presented in a more straightforwardly broad manner .
Leadership Strategist for the AI Era | Scale Without Chaos l Creator of The Present Point Method™ | Curating Elite Executive Peer Networks | TED Speaker
8moLoving this - i do so appreciate direct, clear communication.