In this episode of Lead to Grow, Tommy Sim unpacks one of the most misunderstood and costly leadership skills: clarity in communication.

Many leaders believe they are communicating clearly, yet research consistently shows that half of employees do not fully understand what is expected of them at work. The result is wasted effort, poor prioritisation, rework, anxiety, disengagement and in some cases, lost talent. Studies suggest this lack of clarity can cost businesses between $10,000 and $20,000 per employee, per year.

Tommy explores where leadership communication commonly breaks down, why being direct is not the same as being understood, and how assumptions like “they should know” quietly undermine performance. Using practical examples, stories, and research, he introduces the Seven Pillars of Leadership Clarity and the Five Cs of Communication Clarity, giving leaders practical tools they can apply immediately.

If you have ever thought, “But I already told them that”, this episode is for you.

Connect with us:

Tommy Sim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommysim/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/injecthr

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@injecthr

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/inject.hr/

Key Topics Covered

• Why most leaders overestimate how clear they are
• The hidden cost of poor leadership communication
• Where clarity breaks down most often in organisations
• Strategy and incentive schemes as common sources of confusion
• Why “take initiative” and “be proactive” often fail
• The Seven Pillars of Leadership Clarity
• The Five Cs of Communication Clarity
• How to check for understanding, not compliance
• Why clarity is kindness, not control
  
  

The Seven Pillars of Leadership Clarity

1. Clarity of direction: where we are going and why
2. Clarity of role: what my job actually is today
3. Clarity of priorities: what matters most right now
4. Clarity of performance expectations: how success is measured
5. Clarity of communication and behaviour: what “good” looks like
6. Clarity of development and growth: where my career is heading
7. Clarity of the task itself: what success looks like this time

The Five Cs of Communication Clarity

• Clarity: Say exactly what you mean
• Consistency: Reinforce the same message over time
• Colour: Use stories, visuals, and examples
• Connection: Tailor the message to your audience and build trust
• Curiosity: Look for understanding, not agreement

Episode Takeaways

• Being direct is not the same as being understood
• Clarity is measured by how a message lands, not how confidently it is delivered
• Poor clarity creates waste, anxiety, and misalignment
• Strategy and incentives often fail due to communication gaps, not design flaws
• Leaders must take responsibility for others’ understanding
• Asking “any questions?” is rarely enough
• True clarity creates calm, confidence, and performance

Timestamps / Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Lead to Grow and the cost of poor clarity
02:21 Why communication failures are so expensive
04:43 Where leadership miscommunication shows up
06:58 The problem with “take initiative”
09:23 Why strategy often fails to land
11:49 Incentive schemes and confusion
14:17 The Seven Pillars of Leadership Clarity
19:07 Common communication traps to avoid
23:32 How to know if you are actually being clear
25:59 The Five Cs of Communication Clarity
28:25 Final reflections: clarity is kindness

Who This Episode Is For

• Leaders and managers
• Business owners and founders
• HR and people leaders
• Team leads and executives
• Anyone responsible for driving performance through people

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