How you're scaring your employees off from reading your communications
Whether you've been in your role for a while or you’re in need of a fresh perspective, your communication style might need a tune-up to keep your audience engaged. Which is why we’ve listed some of the ways your comms may actually be doing the opposite of keeping folks engaged - it may be scaring them off from reading or listening to begin with!
1. Your content is too long
Lengthy communications can overwhelm and exhaust your audience. Think about it—when was the last time you enjoyed wading through a long-winded email, presentation, or town hall? People are inundated with information, so it’s critical to keep your messages concise and to the point.
Try to keep it short by:
Using a structure: Organise your thoughts into “What, So What, Now What” to keep it streamlined.
Refining your draft: Don’t send the first thing you write. Revisit and cut down to only the essentials.
Leading with your key message: Make sure the main point is upfront to grab attention.
2. The content is too vague
When comms are vague, they can lead to misunderstandings, frustration, or even anxiety. Imagine receiving a message from your boss that simply says, “Can we chat?”. With no context, such ambiguity can cause unnecessary stress, leading people to fear the worst!
Clarity is kindness, so be clear and:
Add context: If you need to set up a meeting or provide feedback, include a brief reason why.
Test it with someone else: A second opinion can clarify whether your message is clear.
Consider your audience’s perspective: Anticipate questions they might have and address them in your message.
3. The content is jargon
Corporate jargon and “weasel words” make communication sound insincere and hollow. If your audience sees phrases like “optimising our synergies” or “driving programmatic specificity,” they’ll tune out immediately… I mean, we already have!
Instead of jargon, try to:
Recognise the problem: Re-read your draft and highlight any corporate speak. Awareness is the first step to change.
Use plain language tools: Drop your content into tools like ChatGPT or Google Gemini to get a simplified version.
Think like a 14-year-old: If a young teen wouldn’t understand it, you’re probably overcomplicating things.
4. The content has no point
Sending out comms just for the sake of sending something is a waste of everyone’s time. If your audience doesn’t see the relevance, they won’t engage. Pointless communications—like a newsletter with no new information or a meeting with no clear purpose—lead to audience disengagement.
Try to make your comms meaningful by:
Explaining why it matters: Whether it’s an email, meeting, or event, clarify the purpose and what you expect from your audience.
Tailoring to the audience: Segment your communications, so each group receives only what’s relevant to them.
Not communicating if there’s nothing new to say: Avoid “filler” messages, which dilute future engagement. Be strategic about when and why you send messages.
5. The content is boring!
Boring comms will only make your audience tune out. In fact, they may start planning their dinner for the day. Think of talking-head videos or endless PowerPoints with no interactive elements—these are bound to lose your audience’s attention.
Try to keep things interesting:
Switch up the format: Use multimedia elements like images, animations, or audience polls to keep things lively.
Incorporate stories: People connect with narratives, so consider using storytelling to illustrate key points.
Keep it dynamic and interactive: Give your audience moments to engage, react, or ask questions to maintain their interest.
All in all, you simply need to put your audience first. Every issue listed above can be traced back to a lack of audience focus. Before hitting send or starting a presentation, put yourself in their shoes. When you consider their needs, your communication will naturally become clearer, shorter, more relevant, and engaging.
