Lost in translation? Here’s how to fix your message in seconds
Here’s how to clarify your message so your audience always understands you.
The first thing I noticed was the box of objects.
It didn’t make sense. Scissors, tape, index cards, and a single ping pong ball. Too random to mean anything - at least, that’s what I thought.
The facilitator handed us a worksheet with a strange smile and said, “The object of the game is to win as much as you can.”
What the heyell was that smirk all about?!???
My team jumped straight in. “Win as much as we can? Easy. We about to crush them.”
But when I looked at the worksheet, I was confusion. The tasks were oddly specific - and completely impossible with what we had in our box.
“We’ll figure it out,” our captain said, brushing me off when I pointed it out.
In the room next to us, the other team was quiet. Too quiet. It was one of those conference rooms with the fake dividers, so the walls weren’t exactly thick.
“Maybe they’re ahead,” we all kinda half-whispered.
The ping pong ball kept staring at me like one of those paintings you swear is following you around the room with its eyes. Why was it there? Such an interesting ball to pick… for anything.
The facilitator walked room to room several times, repeating the same words: “The object of the game is to win as much as you can.”
We were DEFLY missing something.
At the end of the exercise the facilitator had the teams exchange worksheets.
What the mess?!????
Y’all, their box had everything we needed to complete our worksheet. Ours had everything they needed to complete theirs. The scissors, the tape, the index cards - THAT DAYUM PING PONG BALL - it all went to something in their box.
Then here come the facilitator and that smirk again: “I didn’t say you had to beat them. I said the object of the game is to win as much as you can.”
If any one of us had thought to work WITH the other team, instead of against them, we both would have won. It wasn’t about competing. It was about collaborating. And we’d completely missed it.
The room was silent for a moment. Then it hit me: we failed because we assumed the wrong game.
Did you know that 60% of communication breakdowns stem from misunderstandings caused by unclear messaging?
It’s a staggering number - and one that highlights how easy it is to lose people, not because your message isn’t important, but because it isn’t clear.
I think about that exercise every time I write, sell, or teach. Every time I step into a conversation or put an idea out into the world. Communication isn’t just about what you say. It’s about what they hear.
Your audience doesn’t come to your message with a blank slate.
They bring their own context - their beliefs, experiences, and assumptions. If what you’re saying doesn’t align with that context, or if it’s too vague to land properly, they’ll fill in the gaps themselves.
And the problem is, they’ll often fill those gaps with meaning you never intended. That’s when things fall apart.
Misunderstandings happen. Interest fades. Trust erodes. And before you’ve even had a chance to make your point, you’ve lost them.
Clarity is your responsibility.
If your message isn’t connecting, it’s not because your audience isn’t paying attention - it’s because you haven’t made it easy for them to understand.
But the good news is, clarity isn’t magic - it’s a skill you can build.
Here’s how to eliminate ambiguity and create clarity in your communication using my S.E.N.S.E. Framework:
S - Start With Their Worldview
What do they already believe? What experiences shape their perspective? Use this as your foundation.
E - Eliminate Confusion Early
Define terms, clarify goals, and address assumptions before they derail your message.
N - Nurture Curiosity
Use vivid details or unexpected elements (your own “ping pong ball”) to draw your audience in without overwhelming them.
S - Simplify the Journey
Break your message into clear, actionable steps that feel achievable.
E - End With Connection
Tie your message back to their needs, challenges, or desires. Show them how it serves them.
Why This Works
When you start from your audience’s perspective, you eliminate friction, reduce misinterpretation, and build trust.
The objects in the box didn’t change. What changed was how we saw them.
When you align your message with your audience’s worldview, you create clarity that inspires action.
Here’s What You’ll Get Out of It:
• Stronger Resonance: Your audience will feel like you “get” them, building trust and loyalty.
• Deeper Engagement: Clearer communication inspires action and reduces drop-offs.
• Lasting Connection: When people feel understood, they stick around—and spread your message.
“Your words are only as powerful as your audience’s ability to understand them.”
Your Turn
Take a moment to analyze your most recent piece of content, sales pitch, or presentation:
1. What assumptions might your audience make?
Look for gaps in clarity or moments where they might misinterpret your intent.
2. What’s your ‘ping pong ball’?
Identify a vivid, memorable detail to plant in your story or message.
3. How can you refine your phrasing?
Simplify complex ideas and align them with your audience’s needs.
The object of the game is to win as much as you can - but only if your audience knows how to play.