Mastering the Art of Brevity with ADHD: Communication Skills for Work and Beyond

Mark Twain once quipped, "I didn’t have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead." For people with ADHD, this statement rings particularly true. The ability to distill thoughts into clear, concise communication is a skill that can feel elusive but is crucial for professional and personal success. In this article, we’ll explore why brevity is essential, the challenges people with ADHD face in communicating concisely, and practical strategies to sharpen this critical skill.

The ADHD Communication Style: Why Is Brevity Hard?

People with ADHD often struggle with what psychologists call “executive functioning deficits,” which include difficulties in organizing thoughts, filtering relevant from irrelevant details, and self-regulating. As a result, communication can be verbose or tangential, characterized by:

1. Over-explaining: Providing excessive background information before arriving at the main point.
2. Tangential Speech: Going off on related but unnecessary tangents.
3. Stream-of-Consciousness Writing: Emails or written communication that lack structure and clarity, often jumping from idea to idea.

These tendencies are not rooted in a lack of intelligence but in how the ADHD brain processes and expresses information. According to Dr. Russell Barkley, a leading expert on ADHD, individuals with ADHD may struggle to “inhibit” irrelevant thoughts and stay focused on the core message. Furthermore, research indicates that working memory deficits, common in ADHD, make it challenging to hold and organize all relevant details in the mind, which can result in an overflow of information when speaking or writing.

I often fall into the trap of thinking one extra detail will sway someone's opinion, but this "spray and pray" approach usually overwhelms them, causing them to tune out and look for a quick escape.

The Importance of Brevity in Work and Personal Life

In a world where time and attention are scarce resources, the ability to communicate succinctly is a competitive advantage. In the workplace, concise communication can:

• Save time: Well-structured, to-the-point messages reduce back-and-forth communication.
• Improve clarity: Colleagues and managers are more likely to understand and act on clear instructions or ideas.
• Enhance perceived competence: People who get to the point are often perceived as more organized and authoritative.

On a personal level, brevity can improve relationships. Whether it's sending a quick text to a partner or explaining plans to a friend, clear communication minimizes misunderstandings and shows respect for the other person’s time.

The Benefits of Brevity for People with ADHD

Learning to be succinct has added benefits for individuals with ADHD:

1. Reduces Cognitive Load: Simplifying your message means you don’t have to hold as many details in your working memory, which can ease mental strain.
2. Enhances Focus: When you train yourself to cut to the core, it reinforces the habit of prioritizing the most important details.
3. Boosts Confidence: Knowing you can communicate effectively and efficiently can improve self-esteem, especially in high-stakes professional environments.

Short emails get quicker responses. Long ones are rarely necessary, take up the recipient’s time, and often inspire dread and loathing. Think of how you felt the last time you had to respond line-by-line to a lengthy email.

Actionable Tips for ADHD-Friendly Brevity

Building brevity is like any other skill: it requires practice, intention, and the right strategies. Here are evidence-based techniques to help:

1. Always ask yourself: “What’s the goal of this message?” Make sure everything you write supports that outcome.
2. Outline Before You Communicate: Before writing an email or starting a conversation, outline your main points. This exercise helps structure your thoughts and ensures you don’t forget important information.some text
   • Tip: Use bullet points to organize your ideas in order of importance. If writing, turn your bullet points into concise paragraphs.
3. Use the ‘One Sentence Rule’: Challenge yourself to summarize your main point in one sentence. Once you’ve captured the essence, you can add essential details, but only if necessary.some text
   • Example: Instead of writing, "I have an idea that might improve our efficiency. It involves a new project management tool, and I’ve noticed that many teams struggle with their current tools, so this could really help us be more productive," try, “I have a suggestion to improve team productivity using a more effective project management tool.”
4. Apply the 3-3-3 Rule for Emails: Limit yourself to three main points, three paragraphs, and three sentences per paragraph. This method keeps your writing focused and digestible.some text
   • Research Insight: A 2020 study in Computers in Human Behavior found that emails with concise and well-organized content had higher response rates and were processed more efficiently by recipients.
5. Practice Active Listening: Good communication starts with understanding the other person’s needs. Listening actively allows you to tailor your message to what’s relevant, cutting down on unnecessary details.some text
   • Quote: Dr. Edward Hallowell, a psychiatrist specializing in ADHD, emphasizes that “being a good communicator doesn’t mean saying everything; it means saying the right thing.”
6. Edit Ruthlessly: For written communication, always edit your drafts. Cut out redundancies, simplify your language, and aim for precision. As Mark Twain’s quote reminds us, crafting a shorter message often takes more time and thought, but the effort is worthwhile.some text
   • Practical Step: Read your message aloud to identify and remove repetitive or unnecessary words.
7. Use Templates for Repeated Communication: If you frequently send similar messages, create templates. This can prevent rambling and help ensure your points are consistently clear and concise.

Embracing the Journey

Developing brevity skills can be challenging for individuals with ADHD, but it’s a journey that pays dividends in both professional and personal spheres. It’s about making the most of your strengths—like your ability to think creatively and generate ideas—while adopting strategies that help you communicate those ideas clearly and effectively.

By taking the time to practice and refine these techniques, you can transform your communication style from verbose and overwhelming to impactful and memorable. Remember, brevity isn’t just about cutting words—it’s about amplifying your message.