A Wharton psychologist called out your workplace blind spot. Here’s how to fix it before it tanks your career.
Let’s keep it all the way real: You’re killing it. You’re booking meetings, brainstorming brilliance, side-hustling with finesse, and probably holding down way more than your fair share at work and at home. You know your stuff. But let’s talk about the one thing that might be quietly messing up your professional game—and it has nothing to do with your credentials or how early you show up on Zoom.
It’s how you communicate.
Not if you communicate. But how.
We’re talking about the kind of communication that makes the difference between people seeing you as a leader versus someone who “talks a lot but never really says anything.” Harsh? Sure. But necessary. According to Adam Grant, leading psychologist from Wharton, the biggest mistake ambitious professionals make isn’t forgetting to double-check their email or skipping small talk. It’s failing to explain your reasoning and assumptions—out loud, on purpose, and with clarity.
Yeah. That part.
You Thought They Got It. They Didn’t.
Ever walk out of a meeting thinking, “Nailed it,” only to find out later that nobody understood what you were actually proposing? Or worse—they misinterpreted it and now you’re cleaning up confusion that never should’ve existed?
That’s what happens when you don’t give people the why behind your what.
You’ve got vision. But if people can’t follow how you got from A to B to C, they’re going to start questioning your credibility—even if your idea is genius.
And no, this isn’t about “dumbing things down.” You’re not in the business of spoon-feeding. But what you are responsible for is making sure your brilliance translates. If your message hits the floor every time you speak, it’s not them—it’s you.
The Silent Career Assassin: Assumption-Free Talking
Let’s break it down:
When you present your ideas without walking people through your thought process, you’re assuming they know everything you know. But they don’t. And that assumption? It’s killing your message.
Grant explained that this is the communication misstep that chips away at your career capital. Here’s what happens when you don’t take the time to explain your logic:
When they don’t understand your reasoning, they fill in the blanks. Sometimes that looks like skepticism. Sometimes it’s flat-out doubt. Either way, you’re losing trust points.
[Why Trust is the Cornerstone of High Performing Teams]
You might’ve done ten hours of research, but if you don’t walk your colleagues through it, all they see is someone tossing out ideas with no backbone.
3. Progress Slows to a Crawl
When no one understands your thinking, there are endless follow-ups, back-and-forth emails, Slack messages asking for clarification—it’s a time suck. And it makes you look like the bottleneck.
4. Your Reputation Takes a Hit
People start labeling you as “hard to follow,” “scatterbrained,” or worse, “arrogant.” None of which are good for that promotion you’re eyeing.
How to Fix It (Without Turning Every Email Into a TED Talk)
Listen. You don’t need to turn your status updates into dissertations. But you do need to add some structure and clarity. Here’s how to start communicating like the powerhouse you are:
Stop giving everyone the same spiel. Your manager? Wants to know the bottom line. Your peer? Needs to understand how this affects their workflow. Tailor your message accordingly.
Before you say anything else, be clear: “I’m recommending this because I believe it’ll reduce client churn by 15%.” Now people know what to listen for.
3. Explain the “Why” Behind the “What”
Here’s where most people flub. You say, “Let’s switch to Platform X,” but you don’t say why. You skip the part where you explain that you compared three tools, ran a cost-benefit analysis, and considered feedback from last quarter’s client survey.
[How to Ensure That the Presentation Flows Logically]
4. Anticipate Pushback Before It Hits
Think like your most skeptical coworker. What would they challenge? Say it before they do—and shut it down respectfully with facts.
5. Use Examples, Not Just Buzzwords
Skip “synergy” and “thought leadership.” Instead say, “Remember how our client satisfaction tanked after switching vendors last year? This new system avoids that by giving us better control.” Now you’re speaking their language.
Even if your words are on point, if your arms are crossed, your eyes are darting, or your voice is shaky, it undercuts your message. Show up with posture and tone that match your confidence.
7. Ask for Feedback—Then Shut Up and Listen
Don’t just ask “Does that make sense?” and bulldoze ahead. Pause. Let them process. Let them ask questions. Don’t be afraid of pushback—it means they’re engaged.
Some conversations need a quick hallway chat. Others deserve a deck. Email might be efficient, or it might spark a firestorm of “Can we talk about this?” replies. Choose wisely.
[7 Essential Channels of Communication in the Workplace]
9. Keep It Tight, But Thorough
No one wants a novel, but don’t cut so much that your logic gets lost. Think: short paragraphs, bullet points, clear transitions. Be digestible and complete.
The Long Game: Build Your Influence, One Clear Thought at a Time
This isn’t just about one meeting or email. This is about your legacy at work. The people who get promoted, who earn trust, who land leadership roles? They’re not always the loudest or flashiest. But they are the clearest.
So before your next presentation, pitch, or big idea drop, ask yourself: Have I made the why behind my what painfully clear?
If not, pause. Rethink. And reframe.
Because clarity isn’t just polite—it’s powerful.
Don’t Assume, Articulate.
You don’t need to over-explain, but you do need to connect the dots. Not just for your coworkers, but for your future self—the one who’s running things, sitting at the table, and not waiting to be understood, but demanding to be heard and respected.
Now go on. Speak up, break it down, and make sure they get it. Loud and clear.
Fierce Millenial 
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