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Cleverness to Clarity: Why (and How) Leaders Should Communicate Clearly (the 2N Formula)
The corporate world today is filled with corporate jargon and ambiguous words.
The higher up you go on the corporate ladder, the more likely you are to hear them.
Why, you might ask?
It is widely believed that using wishy-washy, abstract terms and corporate jargon can make you sound smart, intelligent, and “senior”.
The reality (thankfully!) is that couldn’t be further from the truth.
As tempting as it might be to sound clever, I believe that the hallmark of a true, authentic leader lies in their ability to be clear, concise, and direct.
In this article, I will discuss three reasons why you should favor clarity over cleverness when communicating with your teams and colleagues, and a simple formula that you can apply to make that transition.
Why You Need to Be Clear
“Good communication is the bridge between confusion and clarity.” — Nat Turner
Before we get into the formula, let’s discuss why you need to be clear in communication in the first place.

Reason #1 — To Foster Trust
“Leadership is about…