Brand Building: How communication has evolved in the digital age, saying more with less.
Brand Building: How communication has evolved in the digital age, saying more with less.  
Podcast: The Steve Harvey Morning Show
Published On: Wed Nov 19 2025
Description: Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Jim VandeHei. 🎯 Purpose of the Interview The interview centers around: Promoting Jim VandeHei’s book Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less. Exploring how communication has evolved in the digital age. Offering practical advice for professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders on how to communicate more effectively. Discussing the impact of technology—especially smartphones and remote work—on attention spans and messaging. 🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Smart Brevity Philosophy Smart Brevity is about efficient, high-quality communication. It’s not just about being short—it’s about being clear, confident, and respectful of people’s time. The idea originated from Axios’s approach to delivering news quickly and effectively. 2. The Communication Crisis The rise of smartphones and social media has overloaded people with information. Most people are distracted, checking their phones hundreds of times a day. In this chaotic environment, concise and purposeful communication wins. 3. Post-COVID Communication Shift Remote work and Zoom meetings have made written and virtual communication more critical. The pandemic changed workplace norms, making brevity and clarity essential for productivity and alignment. 4. Practical Applications VandeHei’s book is useful for business leaders, educators, students, preachers, and anyone who communicates. He emphasizes that brevity is not shallowness—it’s a sign of confidence and clarity. 5. Five Tips for Better Communication Jim outlines five actionable tips: Stop Being Selfish – Write for the reader, not yourself. Grab Me a Reason – Use strong headlines or opening lines to capture attention. Keep It Simple – Avoid jargon and complex language. Write Like a Human – Be authentic and conversational. Just Stop – Once you’ve made your point, don’t over-explain. 🗣️ Notable Quotes “Brevity is confidence. Length is fear.” “Foggy writing is a reflection of foggy thinking.” “There’s nothing shallow about being short. It’s clarifying.” “Stop writing for yourself. Start writing for the reader.” “The one thing we want to accomplish today is…” – A meeting technique to improve focus and retention. 📘 Book Highlight: Smart Brevity Co-authored by Jim VandeHei, co-founder of Axios and Politico. Offers a framework for modern communication in business, media, and personal interactions. Encourages readers to rethink how they write, speak, and present in a world of constant distraction. #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.