Where am I?

Clarity isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about helping someone else find their way.

This morning I took a quick walk to my corner Starbucks (half caff iced quad, if you want to know), saw my cup in the crowded pick up area with my name and a smiley face on the label, and walked out. Waiting for the light to change on my corner at Columbus Avenue I saw a woman waiting as well, but hesitating. She couldn’t see me. And she couldn’t see if the light was red or green. She was blind.

While I don’t want to take for granted that every differently abled person needs assistance, I did offer, as the light was changing, to help her cross the busy avenue. She turned to me and said, “Where am I?” “You’re at Columbus and 86th,” I said, and added, “on the North West corner.” “What,” she asked, “where’s Amsterdam!?” I let her know she had already passed that avenue, and, frustrated she began to turn in the wrong direction.

Say it so it can be seen

I opted to gently touch her shoulder to steer her, but realized I needed to use my words. She needed to understand what “it’s behind you” means with clarity. “Turn more to your right, and continue straight down the street. Keep a little more to your right side as there’s scaffolding in the middle of the sidewalk. And it’s a long avenue.”

As she continued straight ahead, tapping her cane for her additional guidance, I thought about, of course, how simple it was for me to find my coffee cup and make my way home… and the importance of communication and empathy. Not patting myself on my shoulder. I’m counting my blessings for my sight, and my ability to leverage that and communication to help others.

I’m mid-assignment on an article interviewing leading experts about changes in how we communicate in the B2B world (I’ll let you know when that’s out!) Then later today I have to hop behind the mic for another episode about the ad industry. Both the article and the episode intimidate me a little, as I always want to understand my interviewee’s businesses as much as possible.

You don’t need to know everything—just where to guide

Then I remember I can’t be a “master of all.” I can prepare. I can listen. And what I can do, and do well, is use MY words to steer them in the right direction through my questions, and encourage them to answer with as much clarity as possible about their respective vision and offerings.

Here are a few takeaways I’m reminding myself of, which may be helpful to you, as well:

1. Clarity based on perspective, not polish.
Step back and ask: what does this sound like on the other side? Are you describing the product features using industry or internal shorthand? The clearest communicators translate, not just transmit. Empathy makes the difference between being understood and being ignored. (Those who know me know I love the phrase, “What’s In It For Me?” so remember to answer the “WIFM” for your audience!)

2. Preparation earns you the right to be simple.
You don’t need to know everything—but you do need to know enough to ask the right question, or frame the right point. In B2B especially, complexity is often worn like a badge of honor. But the people who truly understand their business can explain it cleanly, without hiding behind jargon.

3. Listening is part of the message.
People can feel when they’ve been heard. When someone feels understood, they tend to respond with more precision, more honesty, and more, well, humanness. Which always wins.

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PPS: Thanks to Chat GPT for the banner images. A little schmaltzy but you get the point!

Thanks.