One of the most popular TV sitcoms in recent years was The Big Bang Theory. Chances are pretty high that you have either seen it or know about it. But just in case you haven’t, The Big Bang Theory focuses on a group of friends, several of whom are physicists and engineers.
Many of the show’s storylines, and much of its humor, come from the character Sheldon Cooper, who spends a lot of time and energy trying to prove how smart he is.
But it’s not just sitcom characters who want to appear smart. Each one of us wants to be respected and admired for our skills and knowledge. If we’re not careful in our writing and communication, we can wind up like Sheldon, constantly trying to prove that we are just a little bit superior to everyone else.
We would do well to follow the timeless wisdom of Mr. Rogers, who said, “Deep and simple is far more essential than shallow and complex.”
How do we follow this in our writing? Here are three suggestions:
First, use short words and sentences. There is no value in being complicated just for the sake of being complicated.
Second, remember that your writing is all about serving people. We aren’t writing to prove that we are smart or accomplished. We are writing in service of others.
And third, keep in mind the old saying, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” The cold, hard truth is that people don’t really care how smart you are. They just want to know if you can help them.
Intelligence is not a sign of impact. Just because you have a fancy title or a bunch of letters behind your name, it doesn’t necessarily mean you are influencing anyone.
Likewise, there are plenty of people without titles or degrees who have lots of influence because they keep things deep and simple.
Mr. Rogers had both. Many people didn’t know he was a Presbyterian minister who also received over forty honorary degrees and awards. In addition, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and a Lifetime Achievement Emmy. Despite those outward accomplishments, he was able to communicate simple truths in a way that captivated children for decades.
If you can speak simple truth in a way people understand, then you can truly say, Bazinga!
Today’s Challenge: What piece of writing or communication can you simplify today?