Pitfall #2: Jargon Overload

Let’s face it—business folks love jargon. Words like “leverage,” “touch base,” “deep dive,” and “paradigm shift” sound impressive…to no one, really. Overusing jargon can quickly turn clear communication into alphabet soup, leaving your colleagues scratching their heads or secretly Googling your buzzwords under the table.

Imagine you announce in a meeting, “We’re pivoting our core strategy to optimize market penetration and synergy.” Your team nods wisely—but inside, they’re secretly thinking, “What on earth did you just say?”

How to Fix It: Speak plain English. If you must use specialized terminology, explain it first. Instead of “optimizing market penetration,” say “We’re finding new customers faster.” Simple, clear, no translation required.

Pitfall #3: Wrong Channel Selection

Ever tried explaining complex emotional feedback through a hastily typed text message? Yeah, not pretty. Choosing the wrong communication channel is like bringing a rubber duck to a sword fight. Your message is doomed to fail before it even gets started.

Imagine announcing layoffs via email or handling sensitive team conflicts through a chat message littered with emojis. The result? Confusion, resentment, and a quickly deteriorating work environment.

How to Fix It:
Choose the channel that matches your message’s complexity, urgency, and emotional context. Bad news or sensitive topics? Face-to-face or at least video calls. Quick updates or brief questions? Instant messaging or email. Matching channel to message ensures your communication packs the intended punch without unintended collateral damage.