COMMUNICATING TO GET RESULTS

If I asked you to draw a house, what would it look like? 

I'm currently supporting a cohort of aspiring leaders to develop their leadership skills, and last week we ventured into the topic of communication, kicking the session off with a game of Pictionary (and why not!) I asked 2 people to draw a house, 2 people to draw some trees, 2 people to draw the seaside, the same instruction, but very different results!

This small game highlights a big workplace challenge: we assume people understand what we mean, but unclear instructions often lead to very different outcomes.

So, how can we communicate more clearly, especially as line managers?

Here are three ways to get your message across effectively.

Be Specific, Not Just Clear
Vagueness is the enemy of good communication. If you want a report on customer trends, do you need a one-page summary, a full breakdown, or just recommendations? Define what success looks like.

✅ Instead of: “Can you sort out the report?”

🔹 Try: “Can you update the report with the client feedback from last week and check the formatting before our meeting on Thursday”

Check for Understanding

What makes sense to you may not be obvious to someone else. Encourage clarification rather than assuming everyone is on the same page.

✅ Instead of: “Can you get this done soon?”

🔹 Try: “Would next Wednesday work for this? Let me know if you need more time.”

Adapt Your Communication Style

Not everyone processes information the same way. Some people prefer written instructions, while others prefer verbal discussions or visuals. A mix of formats helps ensure your message lands.

✅ Instead of: “Can you write up some notes from the meeting?”

🔹 Try: “Can you pull together a summary of the key points from the meeting and share it in the group chat?”

So, next time you are providing instructions to the team, think of the wonky houses - are you giving just an outline or are you providing the details needed to get the results you want?