Timing matters

I once worked for a very wise man and while he taught me a lot, one of the things I remember most clearly is that the order of things matter.

I've passed that along to a lot of people, but I want to add a bit more to it. Timing matters because matching a statement, message or piece of information to a particular moment in time adds resonance and power. That's while something that happens later in a game has so much drama. It's the action plus the moment that makes a hit or a diving catch seem so huge. Knowing when to say something or even walk across a room can make a huge difference. 

I tell clients to move with purpose. Walking from one side of a stage to another, or picking up a piece of paper and tearing it in half can turn a talk from boring to high drama with great impact that makes it memorable.

Imagine staring a meeting talking about how a lot of companies are trying to slip by some new law or regulation because they don't think they'll be fined. As you say that you put two dice down on the table. You leave them there for the whole meeting, and at the end you pick them up and ask if they are willing to leave the future of their business to chance. Intrigue to start the meeting and impact at the end. 

Timing matters.