Good Communication Isn’t Complicated — It’s Human
If there’s one thing I’ve learnt — at work, in leadership, in friendships, and honestly just in life — it’s this:
Good communication is everything.
It’s the difference between clarity and chaos, trust and tension, connection and conflict.
And yet, most of us overcomplicate it without even meaning to.
Here’s the truth: communication isn’t a performance. It’s not a corporate skill. It’s not something reserved for “leaders.”
It’s human.
It’s how we show up for each other.
It’s how we make people feel seen.
Over the years, these are the principles that have shaped how I communicate — and the ones I wish more people were taught.
1. Talk Face-to-Face Whenever Possible
This is the platinum standard.
A 60-second conversation fixes what ten paragraphs of text can destroy.
Long message chains grow arms and legs. Tone gets lost. Anxiety kicks in. People misinterpret.
Face-to-face — or even a quick Teams/Zoom call — removes 90% of the misunderstanding straight away. And importantly, don’t make it hard for people to communicate with you. It’s always quicker and clearer to talk than to send essays back and forth.
2. Listen With Empathy
Most people listen to reply.
Very few listen to understand.
Slow down. Breathe. Hear the human in front of you.
You don’t need to agree — just understand.
3. Keep people in the loop
Silence breeds uncertainty.
Uncertainty breeds anxiety.
Anxiety erodes trust faster than we realise.
You don’t need to reply instantly, but try to have a simple rule to get back to people by COB each day.
Say things like:
“I can’t respond right now — I’ll get back to you <say when>.”
“I don’t know the answer yet, but I’ll find out and get back to you <say when>.”
Tiny things like that keep people feeling safe, seen, and respected.
4. Own Your Communication Style
4. Own Your Communication Style
Everyone has patterns:
– avoiding conflict
– over-explaining
– being blunt
– keeping the peace at all costs
Reflect.
Ask yourself:
“Am I communicating in a way that builds trust — or avoiding something uncomfortable?”
None of us are perfect communicators. Every interaction is a chance to learn.
Self-awareness is the foundation of good communication.
5. Assume Good Intent First
It’s so easy to jump to:
“They’re ignoring me.”
“They’re angry.”
“They meant that in a bad way.”
But alot of people are tired, stressed, distracted, or overloaded.
Assuming good intent stops conflict before it starts.
And if you’re unsure, ask the person directly when you talk with them.
6. Keep It Human
Be honest.
Be kind.
Drop the corporate polish.
Say things plainly and clearly — it avoids confusion.
If you need a task done, say what it is, when it’s due, and keep it measurable.
Good communication isn’t about perfection.
It’s about presence.
The more human you are, the easier it is for people to trust you.
7. Don’t Get Caught in Gossip or Vindictive Behaviour
This destroys teams and friendships more than anything else.
Trying to “get one back,” or pushing an agenda quietly — it poisons trust.
Strong communication nudges people toward clarity:
“If you’re frustrated, that’s okay — but it’s best to talk directly to the person involved so you both have the chance to learn.”
There are always two sides to a story.
Talk directly. Learn. Grow.
Gossip keeps wounds open.
Conversation heals them.
8. You Can’t Please Everyone — Communicate Anyway
Sometimes no matter what you say, someone won’t like it.
That’s life.
Act with integrity.
Speak clearly.
Don’t punish yourself for being human.
Good communication isn’t about avoiding discomfort — it’s about navigating it with calm and clarity.
9. Own Your Feedback
If feedback is needed, don’t hide behind:
“we think…”
“we feel…”
“some people said…”
It creates confusion and fear.
Say what happened, where it happened, and what needs improvement.
This gives the other person a fair chance to respond (two sides to each story) and reflect (learn from what happened). After all if we do not communicate with honesty people won’t be able to improve themselves. Feedback is so important, so we can all learn and grow.
Clarity protects people.
Transparency builds trust.
10. Communication Doesn’t Need to Be Fancy
I’ve sat in conferences where they introduced things like “the three-way tickler”… and I remember thinking:
“Why are we making this so complicated?”
Most communication skill comes from being present, being honest, and paying attention.
The basics, done consistently, outperform any corporate framework.
Final Thought
Good communication isn’t an advanced skill.
It’s emotional honesty in motion.
It’s choosing clarity over avoidance.
Curiosity over defensiveness.
Empathy over assumption.
Connection over ego.
And it’s remembering that institutions are run by people — so we all need to connect, understand, and grow with each other.
The beautiful thing?
Anyone can get better at it — starting today — with small, human, intentional steps.
P.S. And here’s the truth: even these simple steps evolve. Communication is a skill we never stop refining.
