[Clear da Salt] How to Avoid Miscommunication

Communication is everything, especially in business. A small misunderstanding or unclear, vague message can weaken trust, harm your brand's credibility, and damage customer relationships. In the episode of Brand Your Legacy™, “How to Avoid Miscommunication” in the ‘Clear da Salt' Series, we chatted about how miscommunication can throw salt into the smooth flow of your brand and what steps you can take to keep it clean and strong.

Whether it’s a misinterpreted email, unclear messaging, or mixed signals to clients (or your audience), the impact of miscommunication is real. Here’s how to identify, prevent, and correct it, so your brand remains solid, and your relationships stay strong.

Strategies to Avoid Miscommunication

Step 1: Set Clear Communication Standards

Creating a brand built on trust starts with setting clear communication standards. Think of these as your “rules of engagement” for everyone in your business—whether it’s just you, a small team, or even your vendors. Clear standards keep everyone on the same page, so no one’s left guessing how to interpret a message or execute a task. When your communication is sloppy, your brand standards will be as well.

Define how you want to communicate internally and externally. Outline the tone, style, and platforms you’ll use to interact with customers, partners, and employees. Consistency is key—when everyone follows the same guide, it reduces the chance for misunderstandings and helps present a cohesive brand image to the world.

Step 2: Prioritize Active Listening

Active listening is a game-changer for clear communication. When you truly listen—not just to respond but to understand—you pick up on details that could otherwise slip through the cracks. Active listening shows your customers and team that you care about their input, ideas, and even their concerns.

To practice active listening, pause before jumping in with solutions or assumptions. Take the time to clarify what others are saying by asking questions or restating their points. This simple practice goes a long way in reducing miscommunication and showing others you value their voice.

Step 3: Be Transparent and Direct

Honesty & transparency are at the core of any solid brand. I've made that the foundation of mine. If something goes wrong or there’s a change in a project, let folks know right away. Your clients and team will appreciate the honesty, even if the news isn’t great. Clear and direct communication helps you build respect and trust, the kind that keeps people coming back.

Don’t be afraid to address tomfoolery, potential issues, or answer difficult questions to avoid miscommunication. The key is to focus on delivering information clearly without dressing it up in unnecessary jargon or filler language. Being direct and transparent can help you avoid the fallout from unmet expectations. Don't confuse this with babysitting folks who refuse to adhere to proper communication.

Step 4: Simplify Your Messaging

Overcomplicated language, industry jargon, or trying to sound overly sophisticated can lead to one thing: confusion. Instead, make it a rule to keep your messaging as clear and straightforward as possible. Simplified messaging ensures that your audience gets what you’re saying without needing to translate.

Think about it now, when a brand speaks to you in a way that feels real and approachable, it’s much easier to connect with them. Use simple, relatable language and stick to a message that’s easy to understand. If your audience has to guess what you mean, you’re losing them.

Step 5: Regularly Check for Understanding

Miscommunication often happens because one party assumed the other understood. Regular check-ins and confirming understanding can eliminate this risk to avoid miscommunication. After every meeting or key email, ask for feedback or a recap of the next steps to ensure everyone’s on the same page.

Checking for understanding isn’t just about clarifying the details; it’s a chance to open the floor for questions or concerns that people may be holding back. This creates an open, honest environment where everyone feels valued and informed. Over time, these small habits help reinforce trust and keep miscommunication at bay.

The Rundown

Miscommunication can be the silent brand killer—one that slowly chips away at your reputation if left unchecked. Clear communication is the foundation that keeps your brand strong, consistent, and trusted. By setting clear standards, actively listening, being transparent, simplifying your messaging, and confirming understanding, you can eliminate much of the salt that miscommunication brings.

If you’re ready to dig deeper into creating a rock-solid communication strategy that supports your brand, join us for our Scale Evergreen program. It’s designed for business owners ready to master the essentials of brand communication, build resilience, and scale with confidence.

It’s time to clear the salt and let your brand shine!