Why Smart People Often Make Communication Harder Than It Needs to Be
Have you ever left a meeting feeling that you explained something thoroughly, only to discover that people still did not understand your point? Most of us have experienced it at some stage. You prepare carefully. You think through the detail. You anticipate questions and make sure your reasoning is sound. Yet somehow the message does not land as clearly as you expected.
This is a challenge I see surprisingly often among highly capable professionals. It is particularly common among people who are analytical, conscientious and genuinely knowledgeable about their subject.
The problem is not a lack of expertise. The problem is that expertise can sometimes make communication harder. When we know a subject well, we tend to see its complexity. We understand the nuances, the caveats and the exceptions. We know that most issues are not straightforward. As a result, we often feel compelled to explain everything. We provide background before conclusions. We include every consideration that influenced our thinking. We try to ensure that nobody could possibly misunderstand. The irony is that the more information we provide, the harder it can become for people to identify what really matters.
Senior leaders often face this challenge. They are dealing with competing priorities, large volumes of information and constant demands on their attention. They rarely need more detail. They need greater clarity.
This does not mean oversimplifying. It means being clear about the purpose of the communication before you begin. What do I want people to understand? What decision needs to be made? What action should follow?
Once that is clear, the rest becomes easier. A useful exercise is to imagine that you only had thirty seconds to explain the issue. What would you say? Most people discover that they know the answer, but it is buried somewhere in the middle of a much longer explanation. This applies equally to meetings, presentations and emails.
The most influential communicators are not necessarily the most articulate. They are often the people who create clarity for others. They help people see what matters: They make decisions easier and they remove confusion rather than adding to it.
The next time you are preparing for an important conversation, presentation or meeting, try asking yourself a simple question:
If people remembered only one thing from what I am about to say, what would I want it to be?
Starting there often changes everything that follows.
Questions to Consider
Do I tend to lead with context or conclusions?
Where might I be overwhelming people with information?
What is the key message I most want people to remember?
Try This This Week
Before your next important email or meeting, write down the one thing you want people to understand, decide or do. Then make sure it appears near the beginning rather than the end. You may find that people respond more quickly and with greater clarity.
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You might also be interested in our forthcoming new video series on clear communication which is super-short and free. See Communication Agility: Adapting Your Message for Greater Influence for details.