Structure isn't a formatting exercise. It's the foundation of every clear, persuasive communication. Whether you're giving a presentation, writing an email, or leading a meeting, structure is the difference between an idea that gets ignored and an idea that creates action. In the latest episode of Conversations on Careers and Professional Life, we explore why structure matters so profoundly — and how leaders, students, and professionals can use it to communicate with more clarity and impact. Why Structure Matters Human beings aren't wired to process information in random fragments. We make sense of the world through stories — beginnings, middles, and ends. As you put it in the episode, we're not "data digesters"; we're storytellers. And when communication wanders, attention wanders with it. A clear structure reduces cognitive friction. It guides your audience through the idea. It shows respect for their time and sets you apart as someone who thinks and leads with intention. The Universal Arc: Beginning → Middle → End The classic story shape applies perfectly to business communication: Beginning: What's the point? Middle: Why does it matter? End: What should we do? In practice, this means starting with your main idea — the recommendation, insight, or conclusion — and only then walking people through the reasoning. This mirrors the Pyramid Principle, but it also aligns with how executives think: give me the destination first, then show me the path. A Simple Structure That Works Everywhere: What → So What → Now What You referenced Matt Abrahams' framework from Think Faster, Talk Smarter: What: The headline or central idea So What: The significance — why it matters Now What: The implication or action This structure keeps communication focused and future-oriented. It helps audiences quickly understand context, importance, and next steps. And when you use it, people stop interrupting with "What's your point?" because you've already answered it. Slide Structure: One Idea, One Message Every slide should tell a mini-story: A clear title that states the point, not a topic A single idea supported by one graph, chart, or set of bullets Visuals that reinforce your narrative rather than compete with it The slide is scaffolding — not the building. Your voice delivers the narrative; the slide supports it. Meeting Structure: Avoid the Rudderless Hour Unstructured meetings drift. Structured meetings decide. A simple three-bullet agenda can turn an hour-long discussion into a 20-minute decision. Before any meeting, ask: What's the goal? What's the sequence that gets us there? What decisions or actions do we need? Structure creates momentum, momentum creates clarity, and clarity creates action. Editing as Structural Discipline Editing is structuring. This is where Chekhov's Gun becomes a communication tool: remove anything that doesn't serve the message. Ask: If I cut this sentence, slide, or data point, does the meaning change? If not, remove it. Editing isn't erasing work — it's generosity. It gives your audience time and brings clarity. Remember the ABCs! A Simple Method for Structuring Anything Identify your main point. List two or three reasons that support it. Add only the evidence necessary to prove those reasons. Arrange it in a natural sequence — then cut everything else. It's deceptively simple, but rarely done well — and that's why it stands out. The Leadership Signal Ultimately, structure is more than communication mechanics. It's a leadership signal. Structured communicators show that they think clearly, respect their audience, and understand how decisions get made. The episode closes with a reminder worth repeating: Structure isn't just a communication tool. It's a mark of how you think. And it matters more than most people realize.
