The Surprising Communication Skill Undermining Your Team’s Productivity

Episode 309: Could a surprising communication skill be the hidden reason your hard-working team still struggles with productivity?

You’re not imagining it. The real culprit behind missed deadlines, communication breakdowns, and lackluster performance often comes down to one overlooked issue: unclear expectations. In this episode of Leadership Without Losing Your Soul, you’ll learn how mastering just one leadership skill—clarity—can instantly shift your team from confusion to momentum.

Here’s what you’ll take away from this episode:

• Simple, actionable habits to clarify expectations and eliminate the frustration of “Why didn’t they do that?”

• A smarter approach to communication that turns meetings and one-on-ones into alignment powerhouses.

• Pro-level leadership practices that help you uncover blind spots and drive better team results—with less stress.

Tune in now and discover how a few clarity habits can transform your team’s productivity and your own leadership impact—starting today.

Why Productivity Breaks Down at Work

00:57 – Most team conflicts and underperformance stem from one source: violated or unspoken expectations. This sets the stage for understanding the deeper issue behind productivity gaps.

01:44 – The core of many leadership and productivity struggles is misaligned expectations—a surprising communication skill you may not realize you’re neglecting is the ability to define and communicate those expectations clearly.

04:03 – Begin solving the problem by clearly establishing outcomes and expectations, ensuring everyone understands what success looks like from the outset.

04:53 – Leaders must uncover and communicate the “why” behind every task. Without this connection to purpose, team motivation and clarity quickly fade.

06:28 – Don’t stop at knowing the “why”—take the extra step to connect daily work to the bigger picture, helping your team understand their role in a meaningful way.

Mastering the Surprising Communication Skill of Clarity

07:36 – Clear expectations aren’t enough—you also need to communicate them consistently. The 5×5 method (five times, five ways) ensures your message sticks.

08:43 – The surprising communication skill of checking for understanding is introduced. This feedback loop is crucial in ensuring your message is effectively conveyed.

10:23 – Schedule “the finish.” Set clear follow-up timelines and confirm priorities. Productivity suffers when follow-through isn’t explicitly planned.

12:05 – Prioritize what matters most. Even if everything feels urgent, a leader’s job is to make trade-offs and help the team focus on what truly drives results.

14:33 – One final surprising communication skill: seek out and clarify others’ interests. When you align individual motivations with team outcomes, collaboration gets a massive boost.