Written by Jessica Wallace

January has been busy here at the agency. We’ve been knee-deep in contracts, systems, and new-year alignment. And across nearly every strategy session lately, one topic keeps coming up: communication — and more specifically, how to actually master it.

I’ll be the first to admit it: it's not always my strong suit. Communication is one of those things that can make or break just about anything, regardless of the situation you’re in.

You meet someone new — eventually, you’ll need to communicate what you’re looking for.

You’re working on a new pitch for your boss — communication matters here too.

You’ve got a college project due with a group — did you collaborate… or did you quietly do the whole thing yourself and slap everyone’s name on it and call it a win?

We’ve all been there.

You’ve probably noticed that some conversations feel effortless, while others feel like you’re speaking two completely different languages. You leave frustrated. They leave confused. And both sides walk away thinking the same thing: “I don’t know how else I could’ve said that.”

Or worse — in a less graceful moment — “That was like talking to a brick wall.”

The truth is, communication isn’t always broken.

Sometimes, it’s just mismatched.

We’re taught to communicate clearly, confidently, and consistently. What we’re rarely taught is how differently people actually receive information. Not everyone processes context the same way. Not everyone wants the same level of detail. And not everyone is listening for the same thing.

That’s where communication starts to fall apart — not because the message is wrong, but because the delivery doesn’t match the receiver.

And this goes far beyond marketing. This shows up in leadership, collaboration, learning environments, team dynamics, and decision-making rooms every single day.

Why Communication Feels So Hard (and It’s Not Your Fault)

At its core, communication is a cognitive process. How someone receives information is shaped by how their brain manages attention, complexity, and meaning.

Some people need the entire landscape before they feel grounded.

Others shut down the moment there’s too much at once.

Some think best out loud.

Some need space to absorb before responding.

Psychology backs this up. Humans manage information through different cognitive filters — things like cognitive load (how much information we can handle at once), social learning (how we process ideas through interaction), and scaffolding (how knowledge builds step by step).

When we ignore those differences, communication becomes exhausting.

When we recognize them, communication becomes strategic.

Three Communication Styles You’ll Meet Everywhere

Let’s talk about the three most common communication roles you’ll encounter — not by job title, but by how people signal what they need.

1. The Outcome-Driven Thinker (Often Leaders — But Not Always)

These are the people who quickly ask:

“What’s the goal?”
“What decision are we making?”
“What happens next?”

Listen, they’re not always just impatient — they’re managing high cognitive load. Their brain is filtering for relevance, outcomes, and direction. Research around cognitive load theory shows that when mental bandwidth is stretched, clarity and brevity matter most.

How to communicate with them:

Lead with the conclusion
State the decision first
Then offer supporting context if needed

How to spot them in the room? They redirect conversations toward next steps or resolutions.

2. The Collaborator (Your Creative Counterpart)

These people think through conversation.

They explore ideas by talking them out.

They ask “what if?” and “have you thought about…?”

This aligns with social learning theory — ideas strengthen when they’re shared, challenged, and built together.

How to communicate with them:

Leave room for dialogue
Invite input
Let ideas breathe before locking decisions

How to spot them in the room? They light up during brainstorming and build on ideas in real time.

3. The Learner (At Any Stage of Their Career)

Learners ask clarifying questions.

They want to understand the why and the how.

They’re processing in layers.

Educational psychology calls this scaffolding — learning sticks best when information is delivered progressively.

How to communicate with them:

Break information into steps
Recap often
Check for understanding, not speed

How to spot them in the room? They pause, reflect, and ask thoughtful follow-ups.

The Real Challenge: When All Three Are in the Same Room

Here’s where communication becomes truly interesting — and where most people struggle.

What happens when you’re speaking to all three styles at once?

This is common in high-level meetings, strategy sessions, project kickoffs, and growth conversations.

What works is layered communication.

In real life, this might look like:

An agenda that provides a high-level overview (for outcome-driven thinkers)
Supporting bullet points with added detail (for collaborators)
Real-time recaps of decisions made during the meeting (for learners)

Throughout the conversation, quick check-ins like:

“Here’s where we landed”
“This is the decision we made”
“These are the next steps”

That rhythm allows everyone to stay oriented — without forcing one communication style to dominate the room.

This isn’t over-communicating. It’s intentional communication.

What I Wish I’d Known Earlier About Communicating Well

If you’re stepping into leadership, running teams, managing clients, or setting new standards — there are a few things worth knowing sooner rather than later.

Your communication is only as effective as the comprehension on the receiving end.

Clarity isn’t about how well you explained it — it’s about how well it landed.

Recapping decisions during conversations matters.

Not just after. Not just in notes. In the moment.

Consistency builds trust.

Especially for leaders. Your team needs to know you’ll show up — in crisis, in celebration, and in the messy middle. And not just show up, but show up consistently regardless of the circumstances you're facing. Trust is built when people know what to expect from you.

Aligned teams don’t happen by accident.

They happen when leadership sets the tone, communication stays steady, and everyone understands both the goal and the strategy to get there.

This is something we see in brands and creatives who have stood the test of time — teams that simplify complexity, align vision, and communicate with purpose.

Why This Matters (And Why It Works)

Communication isn’t about saying more.

It’s about saying the right thing, in the right way, at the right time.

When you learn to recognize how people process information — and adjust accordingly — conversations get easier. Teams move faster. Decisions land cleaner. And frustration gives way to alignment.

That’s not just good communication.

That’s leadership.

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