Clarity helps us achieve our goals more efficiently. It seems so simple and, to be frank, that’s the annoying part about it. Somehow it’s the simple things that we let drop. It’s important for each of us to articulate exactly where we’re coming from, what our viewpoint is and what information we think we’ve heard. Sometimes we try to interpret messages we get from people. I’ve spent a ridiculous amount of time reading into messages to try to understand the meaning, and even with that investment, I’ve been woefully wrong. The key here is that it’s not a one-way street. Sometimes those conversations are hard and it takes courage to have them — while other times, they’re easy and a relief to stakeholders or fellow colleagues because everyone knows the deal.