The Real Reason Teams Miscommunicate (And How to Fix It) | Episode 002

In this episode of Champion of the Underdog, leadership expert John Graci breaks down one of the most significant and costly issues in the workplace: miscommunication. With over 30 years of experience as a keynote speaker, trainer, and author, John shares why misunderstandings are rarely the team’s faultand how true leaders take ownership of clarity.

You’ll learn why every misunderstanding has one parent (the sender), and how simple communication fixes can prevent frustration, rework, and wasted payroll. John uses humor and relatable stories, from “drive-by assignments” to a hilarious Thanksgiving kitchen mix-up, to show how vague instructions lead to vague results.

He also reveals a simple tactic every leader can start using immediately: ask team members to repeat back what they heard. This quick step turns confusion into clarity and transforms communication from reactive to proactive leadership.

Key Takeaways:

• Miscommunication is the sender’s responsibility; clarity starts with you.

• Don’t blame; prevent. Leadership is about forward-thinking, not finger-pointing.

• Specifics create accountability. “Who, what, where, when, why, and how” matter.

• Avoid vague phrases like “ASAP” or “everyone’s responsible.”

• Crystal-clear communication strengthens trust, performance, and results.

If you’re tired of hearing “we must’ve had a miscommunication,” this episode gives you the tools to eliminate it for good.

 

Resources & Links:

•  Leadership for Team Leads and Fundamentals of Supervision digital courses
•  John’s Website
•  Connect with John on LinkedIn

 

If you’re a leader, HR professional, or manager looking for no-nonsense strategies to keep your team engaged and high-performing, this episode is packed with insights you can use right away.