From Rambling to Results: The SPADE Method for Clear Speaking

You’re in a meeting, and someone is droning on. Five minutes in, they still haven’t made their point. You check the clock. Sound familiar? Or worse — have you ever been that person? Meetings are meant for productive discussions, not long-winded monologues. Learn how to speak clearly and concisely with the SPADE method.

To avoid long-winded monologues and make your points stick, use the SPADE method — a simple framework for clear, concise communication. It will help you communicate concisely and with impact during meetings.

P – Pinpoint Your Purpose: Clearly define the goal of your statement. Are you informing, persuading, or simply sharing a perspective? Knowing your purpose helps you tailor your message appropriately.

S – Stop and Gather Your Thoughts: Pause briefly to collect your ideas before speaking. This momentary silence is not awkward — it’s strategic. It allows you to prepare a clear, structured message, organize your thoughts coherently and reduce verbal clutter.

A – Analyze Your Audience: Consider who you’re addressing. What is their level of familiarity with the topic? Adjusting your content to their existing knowledge ensures you provide the right amount of context.

D – Distill the Key Details: Resist the urge to overload with unnecessary information. Focus only on the essential points that support your purpose. Don’t explain how to build a clock when someone simply asks for the time.

E – End with Emphasis: Stop talking once you’ve made your point. Embrace the silence and invite questions or discussion. This demonstration of confidence and concision leaves a lasting impact.

Applying the SPADE method will make your contributions clear, focused, and more likely to resonate with your colleagues.

Additional Communication Tips:

• Practice active listening: Pay close attention to others’ points, build upon them, and avoid repeating information unnecessarily.
• Use visuals effectively: Incorporate slides or diagrams if they genuinely enhance understanding and support your key points.
• Mind your body language: Maintain positive posture, make eye contact, and speak with confidence. Your non-verbal cues influence how your message is received.

Meetings are collaborative opportunities, not battlegrounds for verbose monologues. By implementing the SPADE method, you’ll transform your communication from background noise to a powerful, resonant voice.

Practice, refine, and watch your professional impact grow.

Laurie Brown, CSP, is a globally recognized communication expert with over 30 years of experience as a trainer, coach, and speaker. She specializes in helping professionals enhance their presentation, communication, and customer service skills. Laurie has worked with diverse audiences across four continents, partnering with Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and small businesses. Her clients include Google, Ford, KPMG, and Salesforce. Known for her engaging and results-driven approach, Laurie is the author of several books and has been named one of the Top 30 Global Communication Gurus.

Cartoon by PCHVector at Freepix