Smart Pastor

Image via CrunchBase

Twitter, the microblogging service, is moving from the realm of geeks to the mainstream.  Still, many people don’t seem to see the implications for our lives.

Fast Company posted a good piece that talks about what Twitter can teach about leadership.  Basically, if you can’t communicate something important in 140 characters, you will have trouble leading.

Leadership involves sharing seminal concepts and creating an environment where these ideas can come to life in everyone’s everyday work. In an age of shrinking attention spans and economic distractions, clear concise messages play best. Few of us listen long so stop dinking around the edges. Get on with it. Now’s the time to be brief even if learning to be succinct can take time.

Blaise Pascal wrote (not in Twitter but in a letter from 1656):
I have made this letter longer because I did not have the leisure to make it shorter. (55)

At first, it can take more time to write something laconic than to write something long. In my experience, working with dozens of leaders focused on this specific challenge, the process gets easier and more effective within a few weeks. And this new found skill can be used in other settings where being crisp sells.

I suggested recently:
Think of Twittering as training for an elevator pitch completed by the 2nd floor. (62) (Source)

It makes sense.  If we can’t communicate briefly, we are going to struggle to communicate at all.

Finally, I am going to give this Twitter thing another chance and see if it sticks, so if you would like to follow me via twitter you can, here.