Cracking the Communication Code:
How being explicit is the key to unlocking success and fostering wellbeing
Do you struggle with poor performance from an employee or team and feel like they just aren’t on the same page as you? How many times have you been frustrated because someone hasn’t done as you expected? Were you explicit with your instructions and expectations, or did you assume they would know exactly what to do?
If you’re dealing with these common workplace scenarios, then it might be time to unlock the power of explicit communication – one of the keys to unleashing success and fostering wellbeing within your business.
In this article, we’ll delve into the power of being clear with your communication and expectations and how it can lead to a happier, more productive and more cohesive team.
Why Being Explicit is Important
Communication is the foundation of any successful relationship, whether it’s personal or professional. And at its core, good communication means being clear and explicit in your message. When you are explicit, there is no room for misunderstandings or misinterpretations. It sets a standard of clarity and accountability on both sides of the conversation.
Communicating clearly and directly what you expect and the positive outcomes you are looking for:
- Gives clarity, by removing the option for misinterpretation
- Empowers people, ensuring that they understand their roles and what is expected of them
- Reduces the stress associated with uncertainty
- Focuses employees on the tasks at hand so they can contribute more effectively
- Builds a culture of trust and respect – creating a positive working environment
Whilst initially, it may seem like just another thing you have to do – when you crack the code of communication and begin practising explicitness you will unlock success in every area of your life and business.
What is Explicit Communication?
But what exactly is explicit communication and how can it transform your workplace dynamics?
I was first introduced to the idea of explicitness during my training to become a Liberating Leadership practitioner where I vividly remember having that ‘lightbulb moment’.
I had always thought that being too direct was a bit like ‘teaching your granny to suck eggs’ and that people would find it condescending – recoiling at my frankness.
In the training, we were discussing poor performance, and I recall moaning about something not being done to my standard – I think it was something trivial like loading the dishwasher and saying, “How is it that people don’t just get it?”. Sound familiar?
My trainer calmly asked, “Have you told them exactly how you want it done?” Boom! There it was.
The realisation that if you haven’t been crystal clear about what you want then what right do you have to get upset when you don’t get what you asked for? – the fault lies with you, NOT with the other person.
The same goes for your attitude towards poor performance when you haven’t set out your expectations through explicit communication.
Examples of Explicit Communication
Sometime afterwards, our niece was staying with us during the holidays and gave me the perfect opportunity to witness explicit communication in action. She was notoriously messy, and her bedroom had become a bit of a tip, so I thought I’d try it out.
I said “I want you to go and tidy your room. What I mean by that is I want all the rubbish in the bin, I want anything for washing in the laundry basket and the towels either hung up in the bathroom or in the washing. I don’t care if you make your bed or not, that’s up to you, and I don’t mind if you have your books and gadgets out, that’s fine”.
A little time later she appears back and says, “Auntie Fiona, I wish my mum would do that”.
I ask, “What do you mean?”
She continues “Mum tells me to go and tidy my room, and I go and do what I think needs to be done, but it’s never right and I get into trouble!”.
An important thing to understand about explicitness is that it focuses on behaviour rather than personality.
Thinking back to my niece, I didn’t say “You are such a messy pup” or “Look at the state of your room, don’t you care about my house?”, both of which would be attacking her personality and values. I focused on the behaviour I wanted.
A personal example, but the principles are the same in business and apply equally to employees, partners and even customers. How many times have you been frustrated because a member of staff or even your client hasn’t done as you expected? Were you explicit enough?
How to Lead with Explicit Communication
Leaders frequently fall short of achieving the desired performance levels due to a lack of clear communication. This oversight may stem from a misconception (like mine) that being explicit is patronising. On the contrary, it shows respect for others, and as a leader, it demonstrates that you value their time and can prove especially beneficial for both parties.
Successful leaders excel in the art of offering clear and explicit guidance. They possess the ability to articulate precise and unambiguous expectations in behavioural terms, outlining the required actions, defining what ‘good’ looks like, and specifying what constitutes poor performance.
Using a customer care scenario as an example, a leader utilising explicit communication might say…
“One area that I feel you could develop is your attention to the customer. I would like you to ensure when a new customer enters the building that you welcome them with a smile and ask them how you can help. That initial smile is really important as it portrays a welcoming environment and helps the customer feel they belong here. We aim to prioritise excellent customer care, and it’s crucial that our customers don’t experience delays while you’re occupied with other tasks.”
Basically, to effectively lead with explicit communication you have to ensure you don’t prepare people to fail but rather set them up for success. Being explicit reduces the risk of people getting things wrong, which is frustrating for you and demoralising for them.
That doesn’t mean you have to continually bang the explicit drum about the same old thing though – once they get it, move on.
5 Benefits of Being Explicit
Explicitness brings many benefits. The transformative power of explicit communication leads to better mutual understanding and ultimately improved performance with:
- Increased productivity: When everyone is on the same page and understands what needs to be done, tasks can be completed efficiently and effectively.
- Better relationships: By being explicit, you avoid misunderstandings and potential conflicts. This helps build trust and strengthens relationships with others.
- Improved accountability: Explicitness sets clear expectations for everyone involved. This makes it easier to hold individuals accountable for their actions or lack thereof.
- Enhanced problem-solving: When expectations are clearly defined, issues can be addressed quickly and effectively. This allows for faster problem-solving and prevents small issues from becoming bigger problems in the future.
- Greater overall success: By promoting a culture of explicit communication, organisations can see improved performance, increased efficiency, and overall success in achieving their goals.
Effective Communication is Explicit
Implementing a culture of explicit communication may take some time and effort, but the benefits it brings to the table make it well worth it. Whether in building positive personal or work relationships, being explicit allows for more effective collaboration. It promotes a positive work environment where everyone is on the same page and working towards a common goal.
Don’t let miscommunication hold you back from achieving growth. Start implementing explicit communication today and see the positive impact it can have by unlocking success and fostering wellbeing.
For more information about Liberating Leadership and how to help improve communication and leadership skills with practical tools and techniques, please Get in touch with Fiona at More Than Motivation for a chat.
As a professional member of the International Stress Management Association, holder of a CPCAB-accredited Level 5 Diploma in Mental Health & Wellbeing Awareness and an accredited Practitioner of Motivational Maps and Liberating Leadership, I can help you develop the necessary skills to promote explicit communication within your team or organisation and empower them to achieve success.
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