What Happens When You Speak Less? Lessons from Family Game Night!

Remembering how words and actions combine to convey a message.

On Christmas Eve, my family played a new game called “Time’s Up.” I highly recommend it to those who like competitive, fast-paced games! 

The object of the game is to get your team to guess the words you are trying to convey through speaking (think Taboo) and actions (think Charades). In short: how well can you communicate to your audience?

The twist was that in each round, your tools for communicating were reduced…

Round 1: Act with no limits; speak with no limits

Round 2: Act with no limits, speak only one word

Round 3: Act with no limits; no speaking

Round 4: Freeze in one single pose; no speaking

As you might imagine, as you expressed less verbally and visually, it was harder to guess the word. However, because the deck of words were the same from round to round, you started to learn the words and make associations.

So, why am I sharing this? First, as you begin 2025, consciously think about how your words and your actions work combine to convey a message. When you’re talking to a colleague, a prospective family or a current student, how do you use gestures and facial expressions to positively reinforce your words? When you’re choosing a communication channel, how might it limit your ability to express yourself or your school? For example, email relies heavily on words whereas webinars create some visual connections. And, admission events allow for even more visual connection, yet schools may forget to take advantage of this part and dominate the event with speeches and words from a podium.  

Second, there were certain words in the deck of cards that we all remembered because the associated action with it was clear and memorable – “starfish” – and then there were words that were more ambiguous and confusing – “pumpkin.”  As you express your school’s brand, consider how simple, repeatable and memorable is it? How easily can it transcend the different forms of speech and action and still be recognizable by Round 4?

As you plan for your admission yield programs, I hope you will take a moment to evaluate the combination of speaking and showcasing and how they work together.

From AKF Consulting, I wish you a very happy new year filled with rewarding communication moments, high-flying brands and human connection.