A couple of years ago, I received feedback from senior leadership that I could improve by being more concise in my presentations and communication with senior executives. Since then, this has been a focus in my personal and professional development.

Over the past week, I came across two distinct pieces of writing—one by Winston Churchill on the value of brevity in communication, and the other by David Ogilvy offering practical tips on writing effectively. Despite being written for different contexts, both emphasize the power of clear, concise communication.

Churchill and Ogilvy reinforce the idea that effective writing is not just about what is said, but how efficiently and clearly it is communicated. Brevity is a strategic tool, especially for leaders, where time is scarce and clarity drives decisions and actions.

Brevity and being succinct are skills I’m still working on, and like any skill, they only improve with ongoing practice and thoughtful feedback. That’s also one of the reasons I’m slowly establishing a more regular habit of writing and blogging—to sharpen my communication and continue improving over time.