At its core, human communication is about connection. We speak, write, and gesture not just to transmit information, but to ensure that our ideas, emotions, and intentions are understood by others. Yet, many of us grow up learning that good communication means using big words and complex vocabulary. In school, we were often rewarded for using “bombastic” or sophisticated language in essays and presentations, as if that was the mark of intelligence.
But in the real world—whether you’re presenting in a meeting, talking to a client, teaching a class, or having a casual conversation—that approach often doesn’t work. Why? Because communication isn’t about showing off what you know. It’s about making sure your audience understands what you’re trying to say.
When you fill your message with jargon, technical terms, or unnecessarily complicated language, you create distance between yourself and your audience. Instead of drawing people in, you push them away. They may not understand the words you’re using, but they also might feel too uncomfortable to ask for clarification. This leads to confusion, misinterpretation, or worse—disengagement. Your message, no matter how important or insightful, gets lost.
Good communicators know that simplicity is powerful. Using clear, everyday language shows respect for your audience’s time and attention. It makes your ideas more accessible and relatable. This doesn’t mean dumbing things down—it means distilling complex ideas into language that more people can understand. That’s a skill in itself, and it often takes more effort and thought than using complicated terms.
Think about the greatest communicators in history—teachers, leaders, storytellers. What made them effective wasn’t their vocabulary. It was their ability to speak directly to people’s hearts and minds using words that resonated. They made people feel understood, included, and inspired.
So, whenever you’re preparing to communicate—whether in writing or in speech—ask yourself: “Will my audience understand this?” If there’s any doubt, simplify. Replace jargon with plain language. Use examples and analogies to clarify abstract ideas. And most importantly, speak as if you’re talking with people, not at them.
The ultimate goal of communication is not to impress, but to express. Make your message so clear that no one has to wonder what you mean.
