Communication: “Say it simply so they remember it clearly.”
Clarity beats cleverness—especially when the stakes are high.
💡 The Core Idea:
The goal of communication isn’t to sound smart. It’s to be understood.
When you try to be clever, you risk confusion. But when you focus on clarity, you create trust, action, and connection.
“If they didn’t understand you, it didn’t matter what you said.”
Great communicators don’t just express ideas — they translate complexity into clarity.
The Science Behind Dramatically Better Conversations | Charles Duhigg | TED
🚫 Common Communication Mistakes:
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❌ Using jargon to impress
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❌ Rambling with too many points
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❌ Trying to be witty or cryptic in serious situations
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❌ Assuming the listener “gets it”
✅ The Power of Clarity
When you communicate clearly, you:
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Build trust quickly
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Increase recall
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Reduce misunderstandings
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Help people take action
Especially in high-stakes moments (pitching, leading teams, setting expectations, resolving conflict), simplicity wins.
🔧 How to Communicate with Impact: A Clarity-First Framework
🔹 1. Know Your Core Message
Ask: If they remember only one thing, what should it be?
🧠 Rule: “One message per moment.”
🔹 2. Use Simple, Specific Language
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Replace complex words with familiar ones
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Use examples and analogies people already know
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Avoid filler and qualifiers (“just,” “maybe,” “a little bit”)
Example:
❌ “We need to leverage internal resources to facilitate cross-functional collaboration.”
✅ “Let’s have two teams work together to get this done faster.”
🔹 3. Structure Your Message
Organized = understandable.
Use proven formats like:
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“What, So What, Now What” (explain, explain why it matters, explain what to do)
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“Point, Proof, Path” (make your point, back it up, show the way forward)
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“Before → After → Bridge” (what’s wrong now, what success looks like, how to get there)
🔹 4. Repeat to Be Remembered
Repetition isn’t redundancy — it’s reinforcement.
Say your key message in 3 ways:
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Say it
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Say what it means
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Say it again, shorter
Clarity feels like déjà vu — because it sticks.
🔹 5. Match Tone to Stakes
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High-stakes? Be calm, direct, and grounded.
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Inspiring? Use shorter sentences and rising energy.
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Corrective? Be kind but firm.
Your tone is the vehicle for your truth.
🔹 6. Listen More Than You Speak
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Ask: “Does that make sense?”
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Watch body language.
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Leave space for feedback or questions.
Remember: communication isn’t a monologue — it’s a loop.
🧠 Bonus Tools for Clear Communication
| Tool | Use It For |
|---|---|
| Grammarly | Clear, concise writing suggestions |
| Hemingway App | Simplifying complex sentences |
| Loom | Speaking clearly via video walkthroughs |
| ChatGPT | Rewriting for clarity or audience-specific tone |
🎯 Examples of Clarity in Action
🚫 Clever
“We aim to revolutionize the synergy between decentralized innovation and ambient AI infrastructure.”
✅ Clear
“We’re building tools that let people use AI and crypto without needing to be experts.”
🧭 Action Plan: Practice Clarity Daily
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Before writing or speaking, ask:
“What do I want them to understand, feel, or do?” -
Cut your message in half.
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Can you say it in fewer words?
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Can you remove buzzwords?
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Record yourself explaining a complex idea.
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Re-listen: would a 12-year-old understand it?
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Ask for feedback.
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“Was that clear?”
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“What stood out the most?”
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“What was confusing?”
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💬 Final Thought:
“Smart people make things simple. Insecure people make things complicated.”
Clarity isn’t dumbing things down — it’s lifting your ideas up so they can be seen, shared, and acted on.
Say less. Mean more.
Speak simply. Be remembered.
