“Communication works for those who work at it.”
John Powell
How often have you thought, “Why don’t they understand?” How frequently does a message that felt perfectly clear to you leave others uncertain, asking questions, or worse, moving in the wrong direction?
During World War II, General Dwight Eisenhower led a coalition so vast that clear communication was as critical as strategy. Orders couldn’t be left to chance. So, Eisenhower refined his messages over and over, removing every bit of ambiguity, choosing his words carefully, and repeating his directives until they were understood by everyone down the line. For him, the responsibility of clarity fell on his shoulders alone.
That’s the hard truth: communicating clearly isn’t about simply saying what’s on your mind. It’s about taking the time to ensure others can act on it. True connection is built when we care enough to verify, not just assume, that our words mean the same thing to others as they do to us. And just because we feel like we’ve said it enough, it doesn’t mean it’s been fully received. Often, it’s just beginning to sink in.
Are you speaking in a way that leaves no room for confusion, or are you assuming that others “just get it”? Next time you share a key message, ask yourself, “Have I made this easy to understand?” Remember, if something’s worth saying, it’s worth putting in the work to ensure it is indeed heard.
