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What Does "Clarity" Mean to Communicators?

Writer's picture: Laura Hope GoldstoneLaura Hope Goldstone

One of the cornerstones of effective communication is clarity. But how do we define, measure, and exercise the clarity of our messages?





Define

Clarity in communication refers to the ease by which a message is understood. Notice we are framing this from the recipient's perspective, as a message is only as powerful as its reception. As such, this may encompass both the delivery - the details that are conveyed, the language used, the context provided, and the expectations or goals set when applicable - and the way it is understood by its recipient. As usual, the onus is on the communicator to ensure the clarity of a message to yield the intended result via the recipient.


Measure

Clarity can be measured by how well the message is understood by the recipient, whether it be a listener or reader or follower. That level of understanding is then manifested in a subsequent action. For example, if I teach a team member how to use a tool, and then they turn around and use it incorrectly, I may wonder if I was clear enough in my instruction. It is not always the only factor - perhaps the team member was not listening, did not take thorough enough notes, forgot certain tips, or needs more reinforcing when learning a new tool - but it does often get deemed the way to mitigate confusion or misunderstanding before it occurs.


Exercise

To practice improving clarity in your communication, try these steps:

  • Consider your audience's perspective. How can you put this in context for them?

  • Identify your goals. What do you want to achieve as a result of this communication? What is your best case scenario?

  • Explore the necessities. What does your audience need to know, and how can you focus in on those details?

  • Simplify the copy. What information is extraneous and can be removed?

  • Simply the language. Which words should be replaced with simpler versions for better readability?

  • Be concrete. How can you convert abstract ideas into concrete concepts for your readers? (Often this involves providing examples, or structures, or visuals, or comparisons.)

  • Confirm your understanding. Can you give a one-sentence synopsis of what you're trying to convey? If not, you may have to work to understand the topic better yourself before you work on conveying it clearly to your audience.

  • Evaluate your structure. Does your messaging flow from one topic to the next seamlessly? Is there a thread of clear logic weaving through the story? Should you reorder your topics or restructure your content to better resonate with your audience?


Improving the clarity of your communication will enhance your relationships, improve your goal-reaching abilities, deliver your messages more effectively, and focus your messaging to the matter at hand. Let us know if you have any additional tips or real-world success stories related to the clarity of your communication!

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