We’ve all been there. Parents rushing out the door yelling, “Time to go!” Everyone piles into the car only to realize one kid forgot their jacket and the other never combed their hair. Frustrating! But where you feel frustration lies opportunity. An opportunity to communicate better by being explicit with our desires instead of implicit.
The same thing happens at work. You’re in a meeting and the key stakeholder says, “We should really do this thing better.” Sounds like action, right? But it is not! “we should” is a slippery slope because no one owns it. It sounds like progress, but it’s really just wishful thinking.
Implicit Statements
People, and even entire cultures, communicate in different ways. Some people are extroverted, others introverted. Where some are playful, others are serious.
While it’s far from universal, most people I’ve worked with lean toward implicit communication, especially in verbal conversations. And this is a problem. Implicit statements create confusion in projects, relationships, and life – regardless of your natural tendencies.
Many assume that being explicit sounds bossy or demanding. In reality, explicit communication isn’t controlling, it’s clarifying!
Why Implicit Communication Fails
Consider a statement like: “We need to do better at communicating.” Sounds clear and to the point, right? But it’s not. It certainly is short, polite, feels collaborative, and suggests improvement. But let’s break it down:
- “we” = Undefined responsibility. It sounds like teamwork, which is great in theory, but once the meeting ends, each person assumes “we” means someone else.
- “need to” = Wishful thinking. Why do we need to? What happens if we don’t? What if it takes a year or two?
- “do better” = Lack of expectation. People don’t share the same mental model. One person thinks 10% better, another imagines 10x better. And then there’s that one guy who thinks, “We’re fine. No changes needed.”
- “at communicating” = Vague. Are we talking about meetings? What about in emails? Or maybe they mean documentation, or work item ticket comments. What exactly isn’t working well right now?
Implicit language feels soft and nice, but it leaves too much room for interpretation and disconnect.
Explicit Directions
I earned my Eagle Scout rank when I was 16 years old. Those lessons have stuck with me through the years, and now that I’m a parent I’m relearning them as my kids go through Scouting. Recently, I sat in on a First Aid merit badge class with my youngest son, and the difference between implicit and explicit communication was made abundantly clear.
Picture an accident scene. A take-charge bystander shouts, “Someone call 911!” This sounds urgent, but it’s dangerously vague. Who is “someone”? Each second after an accident is critical, where uncertainty can cost lives. What if a dozen people nearby end up calling 911 at once? This is not good.
Instead, emergency preparedness training teaches us to be specific: “Sam, call 911!” Or, if you don’t know their name, point to them, make eye contact, even touch their shoulder and say, “You need to call 911!” Explicit directions save time, prevent confusion, and get results.
Why Explicit Communication Succeeds
Explicit communication gets things done. If tasks aren’t clearly assigned, nothing happens. That’s why project managers use RACI charts. These spell out who’s responsible and accountable, as well as who should be consulted and informed.
Being explicit creates a shared vision, prevents rework, and shortens timelines. When you leave details up to interpretation, someone will spend days perfecting something you didn’t want. We’ve all been there: you follow vague direction, deliver what you think is perfect, and then redo everything because expectations weren’t aligned.
Clear expectations reduce frustration. When two parties are upset, it’s almost always because something was left unsaid earlier. Even the smallest misunderstanding can spiral into an emotional mess.
6 Practical Communication Tips
- Replace Vague Language – Be specific and targeted. Instead of, “We should update the deck.” Say, “Tara, update the deck with our new capabilities slides by end of day Thursday.”
- Assign Ownership – Make it clear who is responsible. Example: “Alex, we need you to take lead on this.”
- Include Timeframes – Set expectation or urgency. Instead of, “We need to have this ASAP.” Try, “Jane, at the very latest we need a final draft by noon on Tuesday. Sooner is better.”
- Provide Context – Explain the “why” for relevance. Example: “Bill, the new component has to be built and tested by end of month so that it can be in production ahead of the new regulations taking affect.”
- Confirm Understanding – Restate the desire and align. Instead of, “Abbey tells us that she’ll need 40 hours for this.” Rephrase it for confirmation like, “Abbey, you said you need 40 hours for this, so I think that means you need a week, right?”
- Reiterate Assignments & Next Steps – End communications with a concise action plan. Example: “Next steps will be Todd getting legal approval by end of week, and then Sarah getting VP signatures by next Wednesday.”
Conclusion
Be clear. Be concise. Be explicit.
People aren’t mind readers! Drop the belief that being direct is a negative personality trait. It’s not bossy, it’s simply good communication.
Even if you’re emailing someone who “gets it,” think about what happens if that email is forwarded to someone else. Will the next person understand what you mean? Explicit communication isn’t just for now, it’s for anyone who might read it or hear it later.
Your Homework: Reach out today to that friend that always says, “We should do lunch sometime,” but you never do. This time, be explicit:
“Hey, do you have time for lunch in the next couple weeks?”
Bonus Points: Be intentional with it. Schedule your priorities.
“Would you be opposed to me putting a recurring monthly lunch on your calendar?”
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If you are looking for a partner who can be explicit and get things done, reach out to your Perficient account manager or use our contact form to begin a conversation.
