Photo by Josh Calabrese on Unsplash
Communication is a complex art form that requires a delicate balance between clarity and surprise. The best communication, according to author and joke writer Nick Parker, is a dance between the two. In order to effectively convey a message, it’s crucial to not only make sure that the message is clear, but also to infuse it with a bit of surprise to make it stick.
The clarity aspect of communication is straightforward. When communicating, it’s important to ensure that the message is clear, concise, and easily understood by the audience. This means using simple language, avoiding ambiguity, and avoiding technical jargon unless necessary. Clarity is especially important in professional settings where misunderstandings can have serious consequences.
However, just being clear isn’t enough. Communication also needs to be engaging and memorable. This is where surprise comes in. By incorporating unexpected elements into the message, you can capture the audience’s attention and make the message stick in their minds. This could be in the form of humor, a unique perspective, or a surprising statistic.
But it’s not just about being surprising for the sake of being surprising. The surprise element must complement the clarity aspect and not distract from the message. It should add depth and context to the message, making it more memorable and impactful. The goal is to create a seamless dance between clarity and surprise, where each element enhances the other.
Take for example, the way journalist Oriana Fallaci masterfully combined clarity and surprise in her writing. During her career, she was able to master the tone of voice in two languages: her native Italian and English. She achieved this by getting intimate with the culture and her own point of view. She famously said, “We need to talk about politics in a different way.
Politics isn’t boring; it’s entertaining, even funny.” She was able to take a serious topic and make it engaging by infusing it with her unique perspective and humor.