“Are we on the same page?” is one of the questions I’ve dreaded asking my team members. I’ve learned that what often follows are a series of enthusiastic head nods and more conversations about the topic in the following weeks.
What makes delivering a point so difficult?
Communicating clearly and concisely is a key aspect of great leadership, yet it’s easier said than done. Why? We communicate by transmitting our thoughts through language. We phrase our thoughts the way we’re used to, the way we learned, and the way that’s clear for us. The challenge arises because the recipient of our message might be used to different phrasing, learned different things, and interprets things differently.
So, what can we do to improve message clarity?
Clear intention = clear message
What do I want from this interaction? What’s my goal in communicating with this person? Do I need their feedback or do I want to convince them to see my point of view? Am I building a new relationship or fostering an existing one? We rarely spend time asking ourselves what we really want from the exchanges we have with others. A brief pause and reflection can help us clarify why we are meeting.
One sentence = one message
Once we have a crystallized idea of our intention, it’s time to decide how to communicate it. Imagine you have a second to deliver your point: what needs to be said and what can be skipped? Compound sentences are hard to comprehend as one needs to keep multiple parts in working memory. Focus on one thing you want to say. Pause. Listen to the answer. One message at a time.
Are we on the same page? Most likely not, at least initially. It takes practice, but it’s a skill we can hone throughout our lives, benefiting our teams, stakeholders, and families alike.
