In Praise of Brevity

There is wisdom in the old saying “talk less, say more.” We sometimes assume in speaking and writing that if a little is good, a lot will be better. Often, the opposite is true.

When sending materials to a mediator on an important case, it is tempting to overdo it. Do you attach the three critical doctor’s notes or do you provide the entire 250-page medical chart? Do you excerpt the one paragraph of contractual language that controls or do you err in favor of sending the entire 100-page licensing agreement? Do you summarize your client’s case in 15 minutes or go on for over an hour?

I think I speak for all mediators when I suggest that less is usually more.

And on that note, I am done.