Picture this. You’re on a beautiful sun-kissed island, ready to explore.
You want to find the beach. And then you spot a sign. It says “BEACH.”
Over summer I took a holiday trip down to Kangaroo Island.
I tried to shut off my brain while I was there. But this sign, with its simplicity, was a powerful lesson for me: clarity matters.
When our brains overflow with information, being obvious isn’t a weakness, it’s a strength.
Here’s why:
1. Obvious beats confusing
Ever stumbled through instructions that left you more lost than before? Or deciphered a menu that felt like a cryptic code? We’ve all been there.
Obvious communication cuts through the confusion. It uses plain language, avoids jargon, and gets straight to the point.
Imagine you’re unboxing a piece of flat-pack furniture.
You pick up the instructions. You’re dreading the unclear diagrams and words only a carpenter could understand.
Instead, you get a straightforward, step-by-step plan with clear pictures. So much better.
2. Obvious saves time
Time is precious. Obvious communication respects that. It doesn’t waste your time with unnecessary details or flowery language.
It delivers the message straight to you. So you can understand and do something about it.
Ever had a friend who gave you ridiculous directions on where to meet them?
“Head north past the old McKeller place for 3.3km until you’re parallel with the sun…”
When you want is:
“Meet at the big oak tree by the Coles parking lot at 9 a.m. tomorrow.”
Everyone knows exactly where and when to go.
3. Obvious builds trust
Let’s say you’re on a website that promises “cutting-edge solutions” but offers no explanation. Sounds vague, right?
But a clear statement like…
“We use AI to help you find the best sales price for your products”
It builds trust. It shows transparency and allows you to make informed decisions.
4. Obvious is inclusive
Not everyone has the same level of knowledge or understanding.
Obvious communication considers different people and writes for all of them.
Here’s an example. Imagine leading a community workshop on financial planning. You start to introduce your ideas – talking about assets, cash flow, balance sheets.
These are normal words to you that you use every day. But everyday people would struggle to define them.
You’re much better off talking about cash and paying bills. Because that’s what people know.
Obvious communication uses simple language. It avoids big fancy technical words, and explains concepts so they are clear.
So, how can you be more obvious?
Here’s five quick tips you can use:
- Start with your audience. Who are you trying to reach? What is their level of understanding? It’s broader and lower than you think.
- Focus on the message. What do you want your audience to know or do? Don’t get sidetracked by details that don’t matter.
- Use plain language. Ditch complex sentence structures. Pick simple, direct words that everyone understands.
- Be specific. Don’t leave things open to interpretation. Use concrete examples and clear instructions.
- Test it. Make sure your message is clear and easy to understand. Ask others for their thoughts and change as needed.
Clarity is not about dumbing down information. It’s about how you save time and build trust. This makes it better for everyone.
And after you’ve done all that, it’s time for the beach!
