I apply the 1200-word rule even when I have a 30-minute or 45-minute time slot. Keeping my formal remarks to 10 minutes allows more time for the slot to be more interactive and to focus on Q&A.

Instead of asking, “Will I get in trouble if I skip this?” try asking, “Who might I be excluding if I don’t include this?” That shift in mindset is what separates a bare-minimum communicator from a truly effective one.

Ultimately, the question is how you will be remembered. Was your presentation clear, concise, and impactful? Or was it overwhelming and forgettable? The choice is yours.