Pastor Will, speaking with one of his staff members stated, “Joseph, your team is falling behind every week. The other teams seem to be doing fine and keeping the pace. I need you and your team to step it up.”

Did you notice a glaring omission in Pastor Will’s statement? There is no clarity. His statement to Joseph is very vague. There is no clarity in what the goal or objective is, what Joseph’s team is falling behind in, or what Joseph needs to accomplish. Whether you hold a leadership position in the church or a corporate organization, clarity is key.

I read somewhere that leadership begins with clarity. While I agree, I believe we need to clarify something (pardon the pun). Great leadership begins and ends with clarity. In fact, clarity is a character trait of great leadership.

Clarity is defined as; the quality of being clear. The quality of coherence and intelligibility. easy to see or hear; sharpness of image or sound.

Recently my wife and I were having a great start to our weekend. Then I messed it up. I wanted to show her how to check the air in her tires and how to use our compressor to add air if needed when I was not around. The mistake I made and one that many leaders make is, I was using terminology that I learned and have used since I was a child.  I assumed she knew what I was talking about. She did not. This was all foreign to her.

I never raised my voice, I did not get angry or upset with my wife. However, because she did not know the language, she interpreted my reactions and verbiage as condescending and hurtful.

I have said for years that there is not one person on earth (in every walk of life) who communicates as clearly as we think we do. And I proved that fact on this particular Saturday. Having clarity as a leader is more than understanding yourself but insuring every person you are communicating with is as clear as you are on the subject.

To be clear, to have clarity as a leader, when you think you have shared your thoughts enough, share them again – and again. Share in simple terms (simple means uncomplicated, not necessarily easy). Always ask questions to ascertain if your employees/volunteers have an adequate understanding of the task ahead and how to accomplish said task. Clarity is key in communication and leadership!

Sidenote: My wife and I recovered fine from our miscommunication that morning and had a very peaceful and nice weekend together.

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life.