There’s a moment almost every leader dreads.
You delegate something.
You explain it clearly (or so you think).
The other person nods and says, “Got it.”
Then… they go do something completely different.
Now you’re behind.
You’re frustrated.
And you’re having that awkward, trust-eroding conversation:
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Oh… I thought you meant something else.”
Sound familiar?
This used to happen to me all the time.
Until I stumbled on one of the simplest, most powerful communication habits I’ve ever learned.
The Repeat-Back Trick
Here’s the shift:
Instead of asking,
“Got it?”
Ask this instead:
“Can you tell me in your own words what I just asked you to do?”
That’s it.
One sentence. Ten extra seconds.
But the ripple effect is massive.
Why This Works So Well
At first, I was hesitant. I didn’t want to sound patronizing.
But I quickly realized — this isn’t about testing someone’s intelligence.
It’s about verifying alignment.
Here’s what happens when you use this question:
✅ You surface misunderstandings before they become costly.
✅ You catch missing steps, misinterpreted priorities, or vague assumptions.
✅ You reinforce clarity and invite questions (especially from people afraid to ask).
And you do it all in a way that feels respectful and collaborative.
It shows the other person:
“I’m not just handing this off — I care that you truly understand what’s needed.”
It’s Not Just About Efficiency — It’s About Trust
Most communication mistakes don’t come from bad intentions.
They come from assumed clarity.
We think we explained it well.
They think they understood it.
But neither side confirms it — and that’s where things fall apart.
High-trust leaders don’t leave that gap open.
They close it. Gently. Intentionally. Respectfully.
This simple question does exactly that.
How to Use It (Without Being Awkward)
Worried it might sound stiff? Try these softer variations:
“Just to make sure I explained it clearly — can you repeat back what you’re going to do, step by step?”
“Would you mind summarizing what your next steps are, just so we’re totally aligned?”
“Let’s do a quick check — what’s your takeaway from what we just discussed?”
When delivered with humility, this doesn’t feel controlling — it feels collaborative.
And it works.
Where I Use This
- In 1:1s with my team
- On client calls
- When handing off tasks to contractors
- Even in conversations with my kids
Anywhere there’s potential for miscommunication — this habit helps.
One Simple Shift, Big Payoff
In a world full of fancy tools, systems, and frameworks for productivity,
this one sentence might be the most powerful upgrade I’ve made.
It’s:
✅ Free
✅ Fast
✅ And incredibly effective
Final Thought
If you’ve ever dealt with the frustration of miscommunication, try this just once.
You might be surprised how quickly it clears the fog — and how much smoother everything runs after.
And if you already use something like this, I’d love to hear it:
What’s your go-to strategy for ensuring clear communication?
Drop it in the comments — I’m always looking to learn more.