Clarity Is a Kindness: How Leaders Cut Through the Noise
“People don’t need more information. They need less.”
Never — in the history of the universe — have we communicated more than we do in the workforce today. We’re talking to clients, leaders, teams, business partners, prospective clients… and that’s before lunch. And we’re doing it across every platform known to humankind: email, Zoom, Teams, interoffice chat, social media — need I go on?
And here’s the real kick in the teeth:
It’s all happening in real time.
No wonder so many of our words have become noise.
So how do we, as leaders, cut through the communication chaos?
We say less. On purpose.
Our job is to present the final draft — not the jumbled brain dump. If we don’t know our point, our audience sure as heck won’t figure it out.
Below are three simple concepts that help your message cut through the noise and actually stick.
1. Brevity: Less Is More
In a world of windbags, a concise, power‑packed message is downright refreshing.
Brevity is saying the most with the very least. Leaders often fall into the trap of “I need to tell them everything I know.”
Wrong.
You need to tell them only what they need to know.
This isn’t about secrecy — it’s about staying on point. If you tell them everything, they’ll remember nothing.
Research from the American Press Institute shows that sentences with 8–10 words have near‑perfect comprehension. Read that again.
When I started applying this principle in my writing and speaking, people began remembering what I said — not because I got smarter, but because I got shorter.
2. Intention: Know Your Point
Before you open your mouth, you must know the one key idea you’re communicating. If you don’t know it, your audience definitely won’t.
After 12 years teaching MBA students, I can tell you this with confidence: adults want to know two things before they decide your message is worth their time.
- What’s your point?
- Why does it matter?
Adults need a shelf to put information on.
If I’m rolling out a new process, I don’t start with a 14‑step explanation. I start with the key idea:
“We’re implementing a new software system across all locations.”
Boom — shelf created.
The next thing out of my mouth is the why. People want to know the effort required, the time involved, what they gain, and what they give. Before they weigh in, they need the why.
3. Repetition: Say It Again (and Again)
The average human needs 5–7 exposures to new information before they even register it. Not remember it — register it. It can take up to 20 exposures before something moves into long‑term memory.
So if you feel like a broken record, congratulations — you’re doing it right.
Repetition comes in many forms:
- Nonverbal repetition: signage, visuals, posted reminders. These don’t replace your words; they reinforce them.
- Physical repetition: movement increases retention. Stand‑up meetings, note‑taking, whiteboard sessions — all of these boost retention dramatically.
- Listening alone = ~20% retention
- Listening + simple movement = up to ~70% retention
If you want people to remember it, repeat it.
The Bottom Line
Before your next conversation, take a beat. Even 60 seconds gives you enough space to determine your point and why it matters.
Remember:
- Brevity: If you tell them everything, they’ll remember nothing.
- Intention: Know your point and your why.
- Repetition: Say what matters at the beginning, the middle, and the end.
Repetition is the mother of success.
Now go forth and say less — your people will thank you.
About the Author
Liz Carlson is a keynote speaker and leadership and communication teacher known for her humor, honesty, and powerhouse clarity. She helps women stop shrinking, speak with intention, and lead in workplaces that desperately need their voices.
