Simply Said by Jay Sullivan Summary

Simply Said by Jay Sullivan is a guide to mastering clear, audience-centric communication in professional and personal settings. Sullivan emphasizes prioritizing others' needs over self-expression, offering practical strategies for structuring messages, delivering feedback, and avoiding common pitfalls like overcomplicating ideas. The book covers techniques for emails, presentations, negotiations, and more, with insights drawn from Sullivan’s legal career and teaching experience.

Professionals seeking to improve workplace communication—managers, team leaders, lawyers, or public speakers—will benefit most. It’s also valuable for anyone struggling with unclear messaging, passive listening, or ineffective presentations. Sullivan’s advice applies to emails, meetings, and client interactions, making it ideal for career-driven individuals.

Yes, Simply Said is praised for its actionable, no-nonsense approach to communication. Sullivan blends real-world examples with concise frameworks, such as starting presentations with audience needs and trimming redundant language in emails. Readers gain tools to build trust, resolve conflicts, and convey ideas persuasively.

Jay Sullivan is a communication expert, former corporate attorney, and adjunct law professor. He led Exec-Comm’s Law Firm Group and wrote award-winning books like Raising Gentle Men. His expertise stems from decades of training professionals, combined with insights from teaching at Georgetown and Fordham Law.

Key principles include:

• Audience-first messaging: Frame ideas around others’ needs, not your own.
• Clarity over complexity: Simplify language and structure.
• Active listening: Engage empathetically to reduce misunderstandings.

Sullivan also advises starting conversations with main points and avoiding jargon.

Begin by stating why the audience is there, not your agenda. For example, instead of “I’ll discuss quarterly results,” say, “You’re here to learn how we exceeded targets—let’s explore what this means for your team.” This shift builds immediate relevance.

The book highlights:

• Overloading documents or speeches with unnecessary details.
• Failing to clarify the one key takeaway for the audience.
• Neglecting emotional cues during feedback or negotiations.

Sullivan advises:

• Place the main request or action item in the first line.
• Trim redundant phrases (e.g., “I just wanted to check in…”).
• Use bullet points for multi-step asks to enhance readability.

Yes. Clear communication boosts leadership presence, client trust, and collaborative efficiency—critical for promotions. Sullivan’s tactics for concise messaging and persuasive storytelling help professionals stand out in meetings, pitches, and reviews.

Unlike theoretical guides, Simply Said offers lawyered precision with actionable checklists (e.g., structuring negotiations). It avoids generic advice, focusing instead on audience psychology—similar to Dale Carnegie’s principles but tailored for modern workplaces.

• “Your communication is not about you—it’s about the audience.”
• “If they can’t repeat your message, you haven’t communicated it.”

These lines encapsulate Sullivan’s emphasis on clarity and empathy.

Sullivan suggests balancing rational and emotional levels: acknowledge feelings first (e.g., “I understand this is frustrating”), then present solutions. This approach disarms defensiveness and fosters collaboration.