If you’re like me, you’ve experienced those moments when you thought someone fully understood what was going on—only to discover later that they didn’t. It’s frustrating, isn’t it? You thought you were clear. You thought you’d explained everything well. But the reality is, the things left unsaid are like empty boxes, and people will fill them with assumptions. One of the worst mistakes a leader can make is to let others fill in those boxes instead of providing clarity and direction.

This is not a new problem. History is full of examples where assumptions led to confusion and hurt leadership. One such instance occurred during the infamous “Charge of the Light Brigade” in the Crimean War. The leaders failed to communicate their orders clearly, and their troops assumed the wrong objective. The result? A disastrous charge into the wrong battlefield and needless loss of life. While your situation might not involve a literal battlefield, the principle remains: unclear communication can lead to unnecessary setbacks and frustration.

As leaders, we are surrounded by an endless stream of tasks, needs, ideas, and initiatives. These thoughts and plans bounce around in our heads, but the problem is this: if what’s in our heads isn’t clearly articulated, it becomes assumed. And assumptions are dangerous.

Unspoken Expectations = Unmet Expectations

Recently, I spoke with a leader who was frustrated with one of his team members. He explained how disappointed he was that this team member wasn’t meeting his expectations. As we talked, I asked, “How clear were you in defining those expectations?” He felt like he had been clear, but as we unpacked the situation, it became apparent that many of those expectations were unspoken.

Unspoken expectations almost always equal unmet expectations. Think about it: how can a team member, volunteer, or employee deliver on expectations that were never explicitly communicated to them?

This is an area I’ve personally struggled with for years. I’ve learned to be intentional about asking people I work with whether I’m being clear or confusing. I also ask what additional information or explanation they need to gain clarity. Without clarity, there’s confusion. Without clarity, there’s assumption.

Three Ways to Combat Assumptions

If you want to lead with clarity and minimize assumptions, here are three practical steps you can take:

1. Don’t Assume You’ve Been Clear Enough

We often overestimate how well we’ve communicated. Instead of assuming, ask your team or audience to verify their understanding. Try this simple exercise: after explaining something, ask, “Can you repeat back what you heard?” or “What’s your understanding of the next step?” This ensures alignment and reveals any gaps in communication.

2. Identify Blind Spots

Every leader has blind spots—areas where we assume people understand what we mean but haven’t communicated it well. Similarly, your team or audience has blind spots because of what they don’t know. The intersection of these blind spots often leads to misunderstandings.
Ask questions like:

• “What am I missing?”
• “What do I need to know to make this better?”
• “What part of this is unclear to you?”

By seeking clarity for yourself, you minimize assumptions and can lead more effectively.

3. Use a Clarity Scale

A practical tool to evaluate understanding is the clarity scale. Ask your team to rate their clarity on a scale of 1 to 10:

• “On a scale of 1 to 10, how clear is this to you?”
• “On a scale of 1 to 10, how much of your understanding is based on assumptions versus direct communication?”

If someone rates their clarity as a 5, that means they’re only halfway clear on what’s expected. If they say 70% of their understanding is based on assumptions, you’ve got a significant opportunity to step in, fill in the blanks, and provide clarity. This simple tool can transform how you gauge communication within your ministry or organization.

The Role of Outside Perspective

Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, we’re too close to a situation to see the full picture. This is where working with a coach or consultant can be invaluable. An objective outsider can help identify the assumptions you’re making and the ones your team, audience, or community is making about your ministry. They can give you a fresh perspective, reveal blind spots, and equip you with strategies to communicate more effectively.

Moving Forward with Clarity

Leadership is challenging enough without the added burden of assumptions. By taking intentional steps to communicate clearly, asking the right questions, and seeking outside perspective when needed, you can minimize misunderstandings and lead with greater confidence.
The next time you’re tempted to assume someone understands your expectations, remember this: clarity isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s essential for effective leadership. The cost of assumptions is too high to ignore. What step will you take today to lead with greater clarity?