A visionary CEO explained, clarified, and added nuance to every point.
His team nodded. They listened. But they left the meeting without direction.
This is the Communication Paradox: the more articulate you are, the more tempted you are to explain. But over-explaining doesn’t create clarity. It creates confusion.
Why Leaders Over-Talk
Strong communicators want to be sure they’re not misunderstood. So they keep adding words. But here’s the problem:
- Teams hear detail but miss the message.
- Conversations invite interpretation instead of alignment.
- Progress slows because no one is clear on what’s expected.
It sounds like leadership. But it feels like avoidance.
Clarity Comes From Declarations
Leadership isn’t about explaining why something matters. It’s about declaring that it does.
One bold sentence will do more for alignment than a hundred cautious ones.
That’s why I encourage leaders to practice the 30-second rule:
- Make your point in half a minute.
- Stop.
- Ask: “What did you get from that?”
Suddenly, the team owns the message. Misunderstandings surface quickly. And alignment grows.
How to Cut the Noise
Here are three practices you can try this week:
- Lead with a bold statement. Say what matters in one line.
- Don’t over-justify. If it’s important, declare it.
- Invite reflection. Ask your team to share what they heard — and listen closely.
Final Thought
If your words are multiplying but progress is stalling, it may be time to speak less and declare more.
Sometimes the biggest shift comes from one intentional step. What would it look like for you to trade over-explaining for clarity in your next meeting?
And if you’d like a thought partner to sharpen your leadership voice, let’s talk.
