Want a 3-Minute Master’s Degree in Communication?

Hook, by Blues Traveler, is one of my favorite songs all time. I like the tune, but the hook…brings me back. It’s a 3-minute master’s degree in communication.

In HR communication, getting the hook right makes the difference between mediocre communication and great communication. And as I’ve mentioned a few times lately, it’s not about the single words, it’s about the essence, or the “hook.”

Check out these lyrics:

It doesn’t matter what I say
So long as I sing with inflection
That makes you feel I’ll convey
Some inner truth or vast reflection
But I’ve said nothing so far
And I can keep it up for as long as it takes
And it don’t matter who you are
If I’m doing my job then it’s your resolve that breaks

Because the hook brings you back
I ain’t tellin’ you no lie
The hook brings you back
On that you can rely

There is something amiss
I am being insincere
In fact I don’t mean any of this
Still my confession draws you near
To confuse the issue I refer
To familiar heroes from long ago
No matter how much Peter loved her
What made the Pan refuse to grow

Was that the hook brings you back
I ain’t tellin’ you no lie
The hook brings you back
On that you can rely

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