Expectations is all there is. I honestly feel that it is time we need to understand and utilize this necessary evil with appropriate expressions. I mean after reading the post I simply recollected my English teacher, Brother Kyle. He used to say, “Focus to the subject and keep it short and simple.” This golden rule has kept me afloat all these years and am proud to see it put so effortlessly by you...

In the beginning of a client relationship, or the first wave sales pitch, simplicity is gold. One experienced communications coach around here talks about "crimes of passion" - meaning not knowing what to omit and not being able to omit. This gets you off message and clients get distracted, bored and confused. However, later in the relationship with the client, complexity takes over, and dialogue gets sophisticated. Maybe the professions (who, after all controls the agenda) wanted brief because that forces the students to pull out the important parts. Ie, after simplicity and some happy engagement, things get more interesting.

I MEANT to type: Maybe the professOR (who, after all controls the agenda) wanted brief writing because that forces the students to pull out the important parts. Ie, after simplicity and some happy engagement, things get more interesting. The typo raised the issue of professions (and professionals) controlling the agendas. In a lot of orgs that doesn't seem to be the case any more (fortunately). Meetings seem to run better - more succinct and focussed - nowadays (or it is just me who thinks this)?

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/11/fashion/11guru.html?ex=1195794000&en=9b22cfb9f7cb6238&ei=5070&emc=eta1