Every leader wants to communicate effectively, but there’s one common mistake that even the best leaders make—and it’s costing their teams time, energy, and morale. Once you’re aware of it, it’s surprisingly easy to fix.

Let’s dive into the most common communication pitfall and what you can do to transform the way your team operates.

The Mistake: Assuming Everyone Understands You

Here’s a scenario: You walk out of a meeting feeling great. You’ve laid out your expectations, shared the goals, and given the team all the information they need to succeed. But, a week later, deadlines are missed, and projects are off track.

What happened?

The mistake most leaders make is assuming that just because they communicated something, their team fully understood it. Leaders often overlook the need to ensure clarity, assuming that everyone is on the same page. But in reality, what’s clear to you might not be clear to others.

The Reality of Communication:

Effective communication is about making sure your message is understood, internalized, and actionable. Miscommunication happens because leaders assume their words were fully understood and that their team knows exactly what to do next.

This assumption leads to confusion, misunderstandings, and a lack of direction. And it’s incredibly common. In fact, studies show that 70% of workplace mistakes are due to poor communication.

How to Fix It: 3 Simple Steps to Ensure Clarity

1. Repeat and Confirm Understanding

One of the most effective ways to avoid miscommunication is to confirm understanding right after a discussion. After you’ve laid out instructions or set expectations, ask your team members to summarize what they’ve heard in their own words. This gives you the chance to clarify any misunderstandings immediately, instead of discovering them after it’s too late.

Example:​
After a team meeting, ask:
​“Can you walk me through how you’re planning to approach this project based on what we discussed?”​
This small step ensures everyone is aligned and that any gaps in understanding are addressed right away.

2. Be Clear and Specific

One of the biggest barriers to effective communication is vagueness. As leaders, we sometimes forget that others don’t always have the same context or insight into a situation. Be as specific as possible when sharing instructions, expectations, or goals.

Avoid phrases like:
​“Let’s try to get this done soon.”

Instead, say:
​“Please have this report on my desk by Thursday at noon.”

The clearer you are, the less room there is for misinterpretation.

3. Check in Regularly

Clarity isn’t a one-time event—it needs to be maintained. Regular check-ins allow you to keep communication flowing and address any roadblocks or confusion before they become bigger problems. These don’t have to be formal meetings—sometimes a quick touchpoint is all it takes to ensure everyone is on track.

Example:​
“Hey, I wanted to quickly check in—how’s everything progressing with the new project? Any questions or areas you need clarification on?”

Why This Matters:

Clear communication is the foundation of a high-performing team. When leaders assume their message is understood without verifying, it opens the door to confusion and delays. But when you take the time to ensure clarity, your team operates with confidence, direction, and efficiency.

Take Action:

Start by applying these three steps in your next meeting. Watch how the dynamic changes when everyone is on the same page, working toward the same goals with clear, actionable steps. It’s the simplest way to boost team performance and avoid the headaches of miscommunication.

Lead with clarity, not assumptions.

Talk soon,
Leon