Nothing says mink, like mink.

Make a statement.

A quote from Mad Men, Season 4 Episode 6. In a flashback to their first meeting, Don is selling a fur coat to Roger. It is a quintessential moment of dialogue and wit.

Connections come from anywhere and may surprise you. Rewatching this episode — something I will rarely do with any TV season or film — I was surprised to connect this sales pitch to my own challenges to effectively communicate in a work environment (really, any environment). Probably not the evocation the show writers had in mind, but there it was nonetheless.

The definition of "statement": A noun. A definite or clear expression of something in speech or writing.

Truth is often found in nuance. But, discussions of nuance grow best from a base of clear definitions. We can spend so much energy crafting our message and finessing our meaning, when what usually works best is a statement — a definite and clear expression.

The mink coat may cost a bit more up front. Forming statements will take time, mental effort and attention, but their effect will be worth it if for no other reason than the time, mental effort, and attention saved clarifying your meaning later.

If you wish to say something, say it.

—Phil