How to Communicate Clearly With Your Audience

In my 14yrs career in engineering working for Big Tech companies such as Google and Uber, there is no other skill I used more than writing. And no, I don’t mean writing code. I mean English writing. Emails, Design Docs, Presentations, Feedback, Code Reviews, you name it. Here's how I make my written communication clear, effective, and punchy. 👇 Written communication can sometimes be daunting, especially for non-native speakers—like me. That’s why I wanted to share  the 6 questions that I use when writing anything. This helps me communicate more effectively and connect with my audience better. 1. Who is my target audience? Identify the specific group or individuals you are speaking to. Knowing your audience assists you in customizing your writing to meet their requirements and interests. 2. What is my main objective or purpose? Clarify the primary goal of your writing. Whether it's to inform, persuade, entertain, or educate, knowing your objective guides your content. 3. What key points do I want to convey? Identify the main idea or key points you want to communicate. This will help you stay focused and make sure your message is clear and logical. 4. Why should the reader care about this? Consider the value or benefit your writing offers to the reader. Highlight how it addresses their needs or solves a problem. 5. Is my writing clear, concise, and organized? Make sure your content is clear and easy to understand. Keep the flow logical and avoid using complex language or jargon that might confuse the reader. 6. Can I make my writing shorter? The answer is always yes. So make sure to edit edit edit. Brevity saves time for both the writer and the reader. What else would you add to this list? How does your writing process look like? ♻️ Please repost if you found this useful

I was a Chief Customer Officer by 29 (4 years earlier, I was a Project Manager) I joined Buddy Media at 26 as a project manager In 2 years, I was a VP In 3 years, I ran a 100-person team as CCO In 4 years, we sold the company for $745M While everyone focused on strategy and tech … I focused on something simpler. Clear communication. (yes, it's that simple) Here’s what kills me. I get 20-50 terrible emails a day. - They ramble. - They bury the lead. - They’re unclear on the ask. - They use jargon to look smart. - They want me to do all the work. Here’s how you can fix it 👇 1. Main Point First - Don’t start with background - State the key result quickly - Make the ask right away 2. Context Second - Add only brief context - Share clear supporting data - Help boss see what’s happening 3. Be Specific - Avoid vague suggestions - Present your solution directly - Make a clear, actionable ask 4. Use Bullets - Break info into bullet points - Highlight key facts clearly - Make data easy to scan fast 5. Anticipate Questions - Think through boss’s concerns - Prep extra details in advance - Answer before they ask 6. Respect Time - Don’t force a long meeting - Summarize key points in email - Offer follow-up as optional Clear communication isn’t just a skill. It’s a career accelerator. Stop making your boss work to understand you. Make every email count. What's your biggest email pet peeve? 👇

Some people are naturally gifted communicators. I'm not, so I've spent the last few decades trying to get better. I started my professional life awkward and shy. Now, I'm awkward, shy, and effective. Many people have helped me improve; hopefully, I can help others in return. After thousands of interviews, pitches, and conversations in forums big and small, I find myself returning to four basic points. Whenever I communicate, I try to be: Precise Most people are frustratingly vague - sometimes on purpose but more often through a lack of practice. Yet humans crave clarity. Get someone to understand, and you're 90% of the way towards getting them to agree. Entertaining Boring communication is ineffective communication. Go through life assuming that - whatever role you're playing in any particular moment - you're also the entertainment. You'll sometimes be embarrassed, but you'll usually be understood.  Unexpected Not completely unexpected though! Strike a balance between what your audience expects (so they're prepared to hear you) and something they didn't see coming (so they remember you spoke.) Most people need extra help with the "unexpected" part of that balance. Attentive It doesn't matter what you say; it only matters what they remember. It helps to see your message the way your audience will see it. Try paying attention… from their vantage point. Record yourself on camera and play it back to yourself. Try tag-teaming a presentation with a co-worker so you can take turns speaking and watching the audience. Sometimes, sending a recorded video in advance that explains a topic gives you the breathing room to be fully present in a subsequent live discussion. There are many tips and techniques to get progressively better at each of these aspects. I find being more attentive the most difficult, though every slight improvement brings big rewards. We designed mmhmm around this philosophy of communication, with intentional features and capabilities for each point. Software alone won't make you a better communicator, but the right tools are a huge help. If this resonates with you, try it yourself or with your team. And let me know how it goes. I'm always happy to talk about the tactics and strategies for getting people to understand each other better. Reducing misunderstanding might be the most important thing in the world. When you're great at communicating, people nod and agree, and you'll hear "mmhmm" a lot. I've tried many explanations for the name, and this is the revisionist version I'm sticking with. https://www.mmhmm.app/

🎨🖊️ "Draw two circles under a rectangle…" "Now, make the circles connect to the rectangle" - some of the instructions that were given to me by our Head of Architecture during a recent offsite. We engaged in an exercise that underscored the importance of clear and effective communication. Each participant paired up, with one partner facing a screen displaying an image and the other facing a blank wall with a pen and paper. The challenge? The partner facing the screen had to guide their teammate in drawing the image using only directional and descriptive language. This exercise was a powerful reminder of how crucial it is to be clear, descriptive and thoughtful when sharing requirements, feedback or instructions. In the world of technology, we often fall into the trap of using complex language, acronyms, and omitting details we assume are "obvious." This can lead to confusion, misunderstandings, rework, and ultimately, wasted time. The key takeaway? Being specific doesn't always mean being overly detailed or long-winded. There's a beautiful balance between being specific and descriptive. It's about conveying the right amount of information in a way that's easily understood. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid when striving for specificity in communication: - Overloading with Details: Focus on the most relevant information to avoid overwhelming your audience. - Using Jargon and Acronyms: Consider your audience and provide explanations when necessary. - Assuming Shared Knowledge: Provide necessary context to ensure understanding. - Being Vague: Use precise language to prevent misunderstandings. - Neglecting the Audience's Perspective: Tailor your communication to the needs and understanding of your audience. I am reminded of a quote by Mark Twain: "I apologize for such a long letter - I didn't have time to write a short one." Concise communication takes time and effort, but it's always worth it. In our fast-paced world, mastering the art of effective communication is essential. It not only enhances collaboration but also drives efficiency and innovation. #Communication #Leadership #EffectiveCommunication

I learned this one the hard way: leadership starts with clear communication. I remember a project where the problem started with me. I wasn’t clear enough upfront, and it led to confusion, misaligned expectations, and frustration. It didn’t stop there—it spiraled into extra emails, more meetings, and way too much time trying to sort it all out. Worst of all, it damaged relationships within the team. That experience was a wake-up call. I realized my communication needed structure, so I started using the “Why, What, How” framework to turn things around: 1️⃣ Why: Explain the purpose behind the project and why it matters. 2️⃣ What: Be clear about expectations and deliverables. 3️⃣ How: Give actionable steps and clarify roles. The shift was immediate. With clear communication, the team felt aligned, work flowed smoothly, and we rebuilt trust. Leadership communication isn’t just about saying the right things—it’s about giving your team the clarity they need to move forward confidently. How do you keep your communication clear and effective as a leader? #Leadership #Communication #TeamAlignment #IntentionalLeadership