Can we communicate better by saying less? With Ros Atkins and Drew McMillan

Can we communicate better by saying less? With Ros Atkins and Drew McMillan

Author: Deloitte UK October 22, 2024 Duration: 39:40

Ding. Breaking news. Ding. New email. Ding. Whatsapp group. Ding. New email. Ding. Whatsapp again. Ding. Another email. Ding. Ding. Ding.

Studies show that we have more information in our brains than almost anyone alive hundreds of years ago processed in their lifetime. And it feels like it, doesn't it? 

So we're receiving more information than ever before. And there are more ways than ever before to send it. But that doesn't mean we're any better at communicating it. That we're understanding it. Or feeling understood. 

Whether we're home or at work, getting communication right is important. It's the most sought-after soft skill in the job market, but for a 'soft' skill it can be hard to master. So, what can we learn from the world's best communicators? And how can we apply it to our careers, our teams and our businesses?

That's what we're exploring with Ros Atkins, BBC journalist and analysis editor, and Drew McMillan, Director of Communications and Engagement at Deloitte, in this episode of The Green Room as we ask: Can we communicate better by saying less?

Tune in to find out: 

  • What Ros learned from Obama's former speech writer
  • Why communicating well is more challenging than ever before
  • A common mistake we all make when communicating at work
  • One phrase that can make any message resonate


Enjoyed this episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts

You can also watch our episodes on Youtube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK 

Loaf Catering here: loafcatering.com


Guests: Ros Atkins, BBC journalist and broadcaster, and Drew McMillan from Deloitte
Hosts: Stephanie Dobbs and Lizzie Elston
Original music: Ali Barrett


In The Green Room: Questions That Matter Most In Business, conversations move beyond surface-level trends to examine the underlying forces reshaping the commercial landscape. Hosted by Deloitte UK, this award-winning podcast creates a space where complex, pressing questions are met with clarity and depth. Every discussion is built around a single, significant inquiry, bringing in leading voices from across various sectors to unpack it. What you'll hear is not just commentary, but substantive strategic analysis and expert insights designed for leaders and professionals who need to understand the 'why' and the 'how'. The dialogue consistently returns to critical, interconnected areas like digital transformation, the practical implications of AI and technology, evolving leadership models, and the realities of the future of work. It also delves into core business strategy, the pathways to genuine innovation, and the urgent demands of sustainability and climate action. This podcast functions as a dedicated forum for thought leadership, where each episode provides a focused lens on the topics that define success and responsibility in modern business. The aim is to equip listeners with perspectives that are both broad and deeply relevant, turning abstract concepts into actionable understanding. It’s a resource for anyone looking to engage with the substantive ideas that are currently challenging and changing organizations worldwide.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Green Room: Questions That Matter Most In Business
Podcast Episodes
How do we fuel our future? With Alistair Dormer and Susan McDonald [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:07
Getting people to change how they do things can be hard, even if everyone agrees that things need to change. Take energy transition, for example. The case for switching to greener, more renewable sources of energy is wel…
Do elections change anything? With Caroline Flint and Ian Stewart [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:20
Every five years, we put a cross on a piece of paper – and put it in a ballot box. It's a democratic right. A civic duty. An opportunity to have a say on what matters to us in our communities. 2024 is a big year for elec…
How do we stay safe online? With Amanda Storey and Nick Seeber [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:14
Can you imagine your life without the internet? It's a platform that's brought about enormous benefits over the years. The internet has opened up opportunities for millions of us worldwide, from being able to find inform…
What are the new survival skills? With Bear Grylls and Shilpa Shah [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:19
Once we huddled around campfires, now we huddle around phone screens. Once we hunted and gathered, now there's an app for that. Once we used the stars to navigate the wild, now we're in a digital jungle. Modern technolog…