Ever read something and felt like you needed a dictionary just to understand it? Yeah, me too.
The truth is, using big words and complicated jargon doesn’t make you sound smarter—it just makes your message harder to understand. And if people don’t get what you’re saying, they stop listening.
Clear, simple language is the key to making sure your message actually lands. The best communicators know how to say things in a way that’s easy for everyone to understand.
Here’s why keeping things simple matters—and how you can do it.
1) Avoid unnecessary complexity
Have you ever read something so full of big words and technical jargon that you had no idea what it actually meant? You’re not alone.
A lot of people think using complex language makes them sound more knowledgeable. But in reality, it just makes their message harder to understand. And when people don’t understand, they tune out.
The best communicators know that clarity is key. Instead of trying to impress with fancy words, they focus on making their message as simple as possible.
If you want people to truly understand what you’re saying, keep it clear, concise, and free of unnecessary complexity.
2) Speak like a real person
I learned this the hard way early in my career. I was giving a presentation and wanted to sound as professional as possible, so I packed my slides with industry jargon and complicated phrases.
Halfway through, I noticed people zoning out. A few even looked confused. Afterward, a colleague pulled me aside and said, “You know your stuff, but you lost people with all the technical terms.”
That was a wake-up call. Since then, I’ve made it a point to speak like a real person—using clear, simple language that anyone can understand. And guess what? People actually listen.
If you want your message to land, don’t try to sound impressive. Just be clear.
3) Use words a 12-year-old can understand
The average adult reads at a 7th to 8th-grade level, yet many businesses and professionals fill their communication with complex words and industry jargon. The result? A message that goes over people’s heads.
If your audience has to stop and decode what you’re saying, you’ve already lost them. The best communicators know that simplicity wins. That’s why some of the most successful brands and leaders use language that even a 12-year-old could understand.
If you want your message to be clear and memorable, swap out complicated terms for everyday words. Simple always sticks.
4) Cut the filler
A lot of people think longer sentences make them sound more intelligent. In reality, extra words just dilute the message.
Take a sentence like, “In order to optimize efficiency, we must leverage our core competencies to facilitate seamless integration.” Or, you could just say, “To work better, let’s focus on what we do best.” Same idea—way easier to understand.
The most effective communication is clear and direct. If a word doesn’t add real value, cut it.
5) Don’t hide behind big words
There was a time when I thought using big words would make me sound more credible. So I stuffed my emails, reports, and conversations with fancy terms, thinking it would impress people.
But instead of coming across as knowledgeable, I just sounded distant and unclear. Worse, people didn’t always ask for clarification—they just nodded along, even if they didn’t fully understand.
Eventually, I realized that real confidence isn’t about sounding smart—it’s about making sure people actually get what you’re saying. When you drop the complicated language and speak simply, you connect better. And that’s what really matters.
6) Assume people don’t know the jargon
It’s easy to forget that not everyone speaks the same “language” as you—especially in a specific industry or field. When you’re surrounded by certain terms every day, they start to feel like common knowledge. But for most people, they’re not.
Using jargon without explanation creates confusion and can make others feel excluded. Instead of assuming people know what you mean, assume they don’t. If you have to use a technical term, take a moment to define it in simple words.
Clear communication isn’t about showing off what you know—it’s about making sure others understand.
7) Clarity builds trust
People trust what they understand. If your message is confusing or overly complicated, they’ll either tune out or assume you’re hiding something.
Clear, simple language shows confidence and honesty. It tells people you have nothing to obscure or overcomplicate. The more straightforward you are, the more credible you become.
Bottom line: Simple wins
The way we communicate shapes how people perceive us. And more often than not, clarity trumps complexity.
Research from the Princeton University study Consequences of Erudite Vernacular Utilized Irrespective of Necessity: Problems with Using Long Words Needlessly found that people who use unnecessarily complex language are often seen as less intelligent—not more.
Simple language isn’t just easier to understand; it builds trust, fosters connection, and ensures your message actually sticks.
If your goal is to impress, complexity might work. But if your goal is to be understood, simplicity always wins.
