How would improving your communication skills change your life, professionally and personally?
Whether it’s missed expectations, team friction, or wasted effort, many challenges trace back to something said poorly, said late, or never said at all.
This week, we’ll explore how to communicate better — not just to be heard, but to build clarity, trust, and connection that drive results.
Productivity Tip: Effectively Communicate
Great leaders are great communicators — not because they talk more, but because they listen deeply, speak clearly, and align words with action.
Effective communication has three pillars:
- Clarity – Be direct, specific, and intentional. Confusion creates chaos.
- Consistency – Repeat what matters most until everyone understands the “why.”
- Connection – Communicate with empathy and respect. People remember how you make them feel as much as what you say. The key: focus on listening, not speaking. Do those around you feel genuinely heard?
Research from the Project Management Institute found that organizations with highly effective communication are 1.7 times more likely to outperform their peers. Teams that communicate openly experience higher morale, faster execution, and fewer costly mistakes — not because they talk more, but because they align more effectively around clear priorities and shared goals.
Case Study: Admiral William McRaven
When Admiral William McRaven led U.S. Special Operations Command, his success depended on one thing: clear, disciplined communication.
In planning the 2011 mission to capture Osama bin Laden, hundreds of people across multiple agencies had to act in perfect coordination. There was no room for confusion or ego — only clarity.
McRaven insisted that every plan and briefing follow one rule: simplicity wins. He used the military principle “Bottom Line Up Front” (BLUF) so every leader instantly understood the mission, intent, and next action.
That clarity cascaded down through every layer of the operation. When execution began, teams acted with speed and confidence because they all understood the why and how.
McRaven later said, “Communication must be simple, credible, and relentless. When people know exactly what’s expected, they’ll deliver every time.”
His example proves that the most effective communication isn’t about volume — it’s about precision, purpose, and presence.
So, Now What? The "How To"
Here are three ways to communicate better starting today:
- Listen first. Seek to understand before responding. The goal is connection, not correction. Listen such that the other person feels heard.
- Be clear and concise. Say what matters most in simple terms. Avoid jargon or long explanations. Be so clear you cannot be misunderstood.
- Close the loop. After meetings or decisions, restate key takeaways and next steps to ensure alignment.
Bonus: Always remember that 55% of communication is non-verbal (body language), 38% tone (paraverbal), and 7% word choice (verbal). So, look people in the eyes and listen to not only their words but their body language as well.
Communication isn’t a “soft skill.” It’s a mission-critical skill. It’s how you align people, solve problems, and lead with influence, and that’s becoming your best!
“Clarity is power. The more clear you are, the more you can achieve.”
–Marie Forleo
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