FIELD NOTES / CLARITY

Turn a vague concern into a clear request.

A concern describes the problem. A request gives the other person something concrete to respond to. Before your next conversation, separate the two.

1. Describe what you can observe.

“The last two drafts arrived after the review window” is more useful than “You never respect the process.” The first describes something you can check. The second adds a judgment that can become the focus of the conversation.

2. Identify the next action.

Ask yourself what would make the next handoff workable. Do you need a file, a decision, a correction, or confirmation? Choose one action rather than bundling several frustrations into one opening.

3. Add an owner and timing.

The wording leaves room for an honest answer. If Wednesday is not realistic, agree on another time or discuss the trade-off. Clarity is not a way to force agreement.

A two-minute rehearsal

Write three short lines: what happened, what you need next, and when you need it. Read them aloud. Remove any explanation that does not help the other person understand or act.

End by checking the agreement: who is doing what, and by when? If no agreement is possible yet, name the next step rather than treating silence as consent.

Practice concepts adapted from Clayton Blackshear’s Assertive Communication: The 30-Day Speak-Up Method, first edition (2026). Examples on this page are original illustrations, not real conversations. These are educational practices, not guaranteed outcomes.