For Emerging Leaders and High-Potential Employees
Professionals seeking to grow influence, build clarity, and communicate confidently in any direction at work
Introduction: Why Being Smart Isn’t Enough If You Can’t Be Understood
Many professionals struggle to get their ideas across, clarify instructions, or express concerns at work.
Whether it is hesitating to ask for clarification from a manager, feeling ignored in meetings, or misinterpreting emails from colleagues, communication barriers can limit your growth, reduce efficiency, and cause unnecessary stress.
Jorge Loebl, founder of Revolving Change, described the common frustration employees face:
“You have a role, you have to fill it, and you are just told what to do. But if communication is unclear, how do you make sure you are actually doing the right thing? You need to ensure communication is happening, not just assume it is.”
Being heard and understood is not about talking more.
It is about communicating with purpose, clarity, and confidence.
This article will break down how employees can communicate effectively with managers, peers, and teams to enhance their influence and success at work.
Discover: The Silent Barriers That Sabotage Your Voice at Work
Most employees do not lack the desire to communicate well, they lack the tools to do so effectively.
Here are the biggest challenges that hold professionals back:
✓ Fear of Asking for Clarification
Many employees hesitate to ask for clarification, worrying that they will look incompetent or slow.
Jorge described this as a critical mistake:
“I see it all the time. Someone doesn’t understand an assignment but stays quiet because they don’t want to seem stupid. Then they complete the task incorrectly, wasting time and frustrating everyone — including themselves.”
Key Insight:
Asking for clarification is not a sign of incompetence.
It is a sign of professionalism and attention to detail.
When Different Styles Collide, Communication Breaks
Some managers are direct and to the point, while others prefer long, detailed explanations. Peers may have their own unique styles of communication.
Misalignment in communication styles can lead to frustration and misunderstandings.
Jorge shared an example:
“Some people are very expressive, and their facial reactions get misinterpreted. Others are reserved, and people assume they are not engaged. The issue isn’t the person, it’s how we interpret them.”
Key Insight:
Employees must recognize and adapt to different communication styles instead of assuming one approach works for everyone.
✓ Misinterpreting or Being Misunderstood in Emails and Messages
Text-based communication lacks tone and nonverbal cues, leading to misinterpretation.
Jorge highlighted a common mistake:
“You send a message without a greeting, without punctuation, and it sounds aggressive. Someone else sends a long, overly detailed email and it gets ignored. Understanding how to craft messages properly is key.”
Key Insight:
Employees must tailor their written communication for clarity and effectiveness to ensure their messages are understood as intended.
When You Stay Silent, You Miss Your Moment
Many professionals struggle to contribute confidently in discussions, whether in one-on-one conversations or team meetings.
Jorge shared his perspective:
“I’ve seen employees hold back because they feel like they’re the only ones who don’t get something. The truth is, if you have a question, there’s a good chance others do too — but they are too afraid to ask.”
Key Insight:
Speaking up is not about dominating conversations.
It is about ensuring understanding and adding value.
Design: The Communication Toolkit That Builds Confidence and Credibility
To overcome these challenges, employees must develop a structured approach to communication that ensures clarity, confidence, and connection with colleagues and managers.
This is where we use the Discover, Design, Deliver (3‑D) process.
✓ Master Active Listening: Understand Before Responding
Many people listen to reply, not to understand. Effective communicators focus on listening carefully before responding.
Techniques to Improve Listening:
- Avoid interrupting — pause before responding
- Summarize what the other person said to confirm understanding
- Ask follow-up questions to gain deeper insight
Example:
Instead of saying, “Got it,” say,
“So if I understand correctly, you want me to prioritize Task A before moving on to Task B?”
Jorge emphasized why this is critical:
“Listening isn’t passive. It’s an active skill. When employees truly listen and confirm understanding, they prevent a world of problems.”
✓ Ask Clarifying Questions Without Fear
When instructions are unclear, asking for clarification upfront prevents costly mistakes later.
How to Ask Without Sounding Incompetent:
- Use neutral phrasing → “Just to make sure I’m aligned, you’re asking me to do X, correct?”
- Ask about priorities → “Which part of this should I focus on first?”
- Repeat instructions in your own words to confirm understanding
Jorge shared his advice:
“Don’t just nod along. If something isn’t clear, ask. It’s easier to fix a miscommunication in five seconds than in five days.”
✓ Adapt to Different Communication Styles
People process information differently. Some prefer direct, bullet-pointed messages, while others need more context and detail.
How to Adjust Your Communication Style:
- Identify if your manager prefers quick updates or detailed explanations
- Match the level of formality to the recipient (casual for Slack, formal for executive emails)
- Use visuals or summaries for complex topics when appropriate
Jorge described this as an essential skill:
“We all have different ways of communicating. If you recognize that, and adapt your approach, you’ll be far more effective.”
✓ Use Nonverbal Cues to Gauge Reactions
Communication is more than words. Facial expressions, tone, and body language all play a role in how messages are received.
How to Leverage Nonverbal Communication:
- Pay attention to tone and expressions in meetings
- Adjust your approach if someone looks confused or disengaged
- Mirror positive engagement cues to build rapport
Jorge explained how nonverbal cues often cause misinterpretation:
“You see someone frown, and you assume they disagree. But maybe they’re just thinking. If you don’t clarify, you’ll make the wrong assumption.”
How to Give Feedback That Lands (Without Offending Anyone)
Feedback should be a regular, positive part of workplace communication.
Best Practices for Giving Feedback:
- Focus on specific actions instead of vague critiques
- Use neutral, professional language
- Offer solutions, not just problems
Example:
Instead of saying, “You’re not clear in your emails,” say,
“I noticed that some of your emails don’t specify deadlines. Adding that could help avoid confusion.”
Jorge reinforced why feedback must be normalized:
“If you’re afraid to give feedback, you’ll never improve workplace communication. It’s about mutual growth, not criticism.”
Deliver: Build the Communication Habits That Set You Apart
Once employees refine their communication strategies, they must apply them consistently to build credibility and influence at work.
Key Actions to Implement Today:
- Actively listen → Focus on understanding before responding
- Ask clarifying questions → Prevent miscommunication before it happens
- Adapt communication styles → Tailor messages for different audiences
- Use nonverbal cues effectively → Read between the lines to gauge reactions
- Give and receive feedback confidently → Normalize constructive discussions
Final Thoughts: Being Heard is About Communicating Better, Not Louder
Many employees believe that to be heard, they need to talk more.
The truth is, to be heard, you need to communicate strategically, clearly, and effectively.
Jorge summed it up:
“People don’t need to talk more, they need to communicate better. If you master communication, you’ll stand out in any organization.”
The good news is that communication is a skill you can develop and refine.
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