When Clear Communication Doesn’t Land

I’ve been thinking a lot about communication lately. Especially how often we focus on clarity, but miss what’s actually happening in the interaction itself.

Most people think communication is about what they say. It's not. It's about what actually happens when it's said.

You can be thoughtful, clear, intentional... and still feel the shift. A pause. A change in tone. A reaction you didn’t expect. Something doesn't land.

Most people respond by explaining more. But that’s not what’s needed in that moment.

The best communicators aren’t just speaking. They’re noticing.

They’re paying attention to what’s happening on the other side, in real time.

I learned to slow down how I spoke, so I could be clear. But what I didn’t always realize was that while I was focused on getting it right, I wasn’t always noticing how it was being received. 

That’s the difference.

Not what you say. Not how clearly you say it. But whether you’re aware of what’s happening while you say it.

Because communication isn’t just expression. It’s interaction. 

And if something isn’t landing, you’ll see it. If you’re paying attention.

This applies everywhere in life. In business. In leadership. In marketing. In sales.

Because none of those depend on what you say. They depend on whether it connects.