It’s Never as Clear as You Think It Is

clear

There is a disconnect that I witness every day.

The disconnect is between our own perception of what is “clear” and what others think about that clarity. When we have an idea or a strategy or something in our head, and we have thought it through and worked it out, in our own minds it is very clear. And then we explain it, a little bit (if at all), and we expect everyone else to see it just as clearly as we do. And we expect them to get it quickly. Some quick explanation from us, and everyone else should get it easily, right?

But it doesn’t work that way.

It took time for you to think it through and work it out. But then the hardest part is to take your idea and clearly explain it to others. That takes time, and it takes a little effort. You have to give people context, and the basis for your thinking. You have to let them catch up to you.

The point here is that when you have an idea in your head, it is rarely going to be as clear to others as it is to you, without some effort on your part to explain it… with context, clarity and a little patience.

Just because it is clear to you, does not mean it is clear to others. And if it is an important idea and you need your colleagues on board, make sure you build in the time  and make the effort to explain it clearly.

Have a great day.

The Latimer Group now offers a new workshop for our clients on Listening Skills and Followership. It would be our privilege to have you and your team join the discussion. To learn more, e-mail us at info@TheLatimerGroup.com

Photo by Frank Gruber distributed under the following license

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4 responses to “It’s Never as Clear as You Think It Is”

  1. […] If it is not clear, the audience will not be […]

  2. […] most important things to focus on remain these: Get to the point quickly… Make the point clearly… Create context and relevance for your audience… Speak with impact… Communicate […]

  3. […] The Latimer Group, we talk and write all the time about the ability to communicate clearly. That is our purpose, our mission, our raison d’etre. To succeed in the 21st century global […]

  4. […] of having goals in your communication. And here we are again today, with that same notion. Be clear about what you want or need. Is it a decision? Or is it alignment? That choice will point you towards persuasion or […]

Dean Brenner

A book about change

The Latimer Group’s CEO Dean Brenner is a noted keynote speaker and author on the subject of persuasive communication. He has written three books, including Persuaded, in which he details how communication can transform organizations into highly effective, creative, transparent environments that succeed at every level.