What Does It Mean to Communicate Clearly?
With over 7,000 spoken languages and 300 writing systems worldwide, a common skill transcends all linguistic and cultural barriers in any profession—clear communication. Clear communication isn’t merely about speaking or writing well; it’s about effectively conveying information so that it is easily understood and actionable. While it may seem straightforward to incorporate this into our daily interactions, thousands of online resources, self-help books, and workshops aim to teach this crucial skill. This raises the question: what does it truly mean to “communicate clearly”?
Clear communication involves several components: understanding the specific information to be conveyed, choosing the right method for conveying it, considering the needs and backgrounds of the audience, and maintaining a focused, concise approach. Miscommunication carries a high cost; according to the 2022 State of Business Communication Report, poor workplace communication leads to a loss of 7.47 hours per employee per week. This represents not only lost productivity but also missed opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and growth. Clarity, therefore, is not just a soft skill but a critical organizational competency.
Clear Communication as a Human Right
The concept of communication as a fundamental human right was first enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which affirms that everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression. This includes the right to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media, regardless of frontiers. This right is echoed in other major international instruments, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, highlighting communication as vital to human dignity and equality.
However, while these declarations focus on the right to communicate, they do not explicitly address the quality of communication. In 1976, UNESCO released a pivotal report advocating for the active involvement of all people in the communication process. The report emphasized that access to communication resources is essential to satisfying communication needs, effectively linking communication rights with broader human rights like education, participation, and development. The United Nations has since underscored the importance of effective communication in fostering dialogue among nations, companies, and communities, acknowledging it as a bridge for understanding across differences.
Despite these efforts, the clarity of communication is still underrepresented in these frameworks. Communication barriers such as linguistic diversity, cultural differences, varying educational levels, and socioeconomic status can distort the intended message, making it difficult for many to fully grasp their rights and responsibilities without additional interpretive aids. To truly honor the right to communicate, we must also prioritize the clarity of that communication.
The Role of Clear Communication in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Since the adoption of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the United Nations, there has been a growing advocacy to add “Communication for All” as an 18th goal. While this addition has not yet materialized, SDG 16.10 — “Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms”— represent a relevant acknowledgment of the role of communication. This goal recognizes that without clear, accessible information, individuals cannot exercise their rights fully, nor can they participate meaningfully in public life.
Communication is the lifeblood of all the SDGs. Consider SDG 4, which focuses on quality education. Without clear and accessible communication, educational goals cannot be effectively realized. Similarly, SDG 13, which addresses climate action, relies heavily on clear communication to educate the public and spur collective action on environmental issues. Communication is not merely a tool for disseminating information but a critical component for mobilizing support, driving policy change, and fostering a culture of transparency and accountability.
Despite this, the role of communication is so intrinsic to human interaction that we often take it for granted, neglecting to see it as a distinct element in achieving sustainable development. We assume that communication naturally aligns with larger sustainability goals — meeting present needs without compromising future generations’ ability to meet theirs—without explicitly stating it.
Yet, without clear and effective communication, these goals are likely to fall short.
Steps Moving Forward: Elevating Clarity in Communication
Recognizing the necessity of clear communication as a right and a sustainable development objective will likely require extensive advocacy, discourse, and policy support. This is not merely an abstract ideal; it is a tangible need demonstrated by ongoing challenges in global governance, organizational leadership, and community engagement. Muddled messages lead to mistrust, misinformation, and missed opportunities—issues that can be mitigated with a strong emphasis on clarity.
The path forward involves integrating principles of clear communication into institutional guidelines, educational curricula, and organizational policies. Governments, businesses, and civil society organizations must recognize that effective communication is fundamental to achieving broader goals such as justice, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. Moreover, individuals can contribute by honing their communication skills, whether through active listening, asking clarifying questions, or adapting their messages to suit diverse audiences.
In the last years, we made several steps in the right direction (think about the ISO certification on plain language), but we need to do more. Only by respecting people’s right to communicate and be communicated with clearly, we can create a more inclusive and accessible world.