Building Blocks - Vol. 1, No. 6
The Power of a Pencil
I have realized over the years, when I go to a design meeting I should bring a couple of long No.2 pencils. Inevitably, during the meeting when the group looks over a set of drawings, I can take the floor by sticking my pencil onto the drawing and start sketching my ideas. (The freedom to draw on someone’s drawing comes with the fact that pencil sketches are erasable.) Very quickly, the attention shift to my concerns. I would have the floor and be able to express my point or share my design idea. The lowly No. 2 pencil possesses this great power.
In order to exercise this power, preparation is necessary.
- Bring pencils, obviously. Make sure they are the soft No.2 type.
- Develop sufficient confidence to speak out.
- Confidence results from knowledge. Be prepared for the meeting. Be knowledgeable.
- Confidence comes from being able to present well; nice hand writing and good sketching techniques gives one the confidence to put pencil to paper and share ideas.
Finally, the power of the pencil only opens the door for one to speak. The burden is on the speaker to deliver the message clearly so that it is understood and to deliver the message in a convincing manner to influence the outcome.
If you do not currently have the following traits, consider working on them, so you too may possess the power of a pencil.
- Nice handwriting
- Ability to sketch
- Adequate knowledge base
- Good communication skills