Business Communication Tips NOBODY Tells You (But Are EASY To Do)
Most people think good business writing is about finding the perfect words. But here's what nobody tells you: it's actually about serving your reader, not impressing them. Writing expert Erin Lebacqz shared game-changing tips that Fortune 50 companies use to cut through communication chaos.
Key Takeaways
Think reader-first, not writer-first - Stop worrying about how you sound and start thinking about what your reader needs
Every message has two goals - You're sending information AND building (or breaking) relationships
Use the "front-load" rule - Put the most important stuff first, skip the slow windup
Make it about the work, not the person - When giving feedback, focus on the deliverable, not personal blame
Power lives in your verb choices - "Requires" vs "requests" changes everything about how people respond
Notable Quotes
"Most of us have been raised to not really have enough focus on the others when we write - we tend to write with self-focus instead of other focus."
"Being very formal can also be off-putting as off-putting as being too informal."
"Maybe it took me five minutes to tweak that message - it would have taken me 30 minutes to have a negative conversation afterwards."
"We hear the saying that people don't leave jobs they leave bosses - but why? How does a boss's behavior come through except through communication?"
"You provided such good evidence here... but when they didn't, I would not write 'you failed to provide evidence' - I would write 'page three needs more evidence.'"
Real-World Applications
The Email Subject Line Agreement Instead of vague subjects like "Quick question," your team agrees to use specific formats like "Action needed by Friday: Budget approval." Everyone saves time scanning their inbox.
The Power Verb Switch Replace "Sarah has been put in charge of the project" with "Sarah leads the project team." Same information, but now Sarah sounds like the capable leader she is.
The Front-Load Formula Old way: "It seems to me that we might want to consider the possibility that the deadline could be moved." New way: "The deadline moves to next Friday."
The Blame-Free Feedback Method Instead of "You forgot to include the timeline," try "The proposal needs a timeline section." Now you're both on the same side, fixing the proposal together.
The Cultural Directness Check Before sending that active-voice email to your international team, ask: "Will this sound too aggressive in their culture?" Sometimes "The report will be completed when all metrics are received" works better than "John didn't submit his metrics, so the report isn't ready."
Good business communication isn't about perfect grammar or fancy words. It's about making your reader's life easier while building trust. Start with one tip from this list. Your team (and your stress levels) will thank you.
Remember: every email, slack message, and text is a chance to either build someone up or tear them down. Choose wisely.
00:58 Discussing Effective Business Communication
03:12 Strategies for Effective Group Presentations
05:26 Considerations for Different Communication Channels
07:47 The Role of Emojis in Professional Communication
20:00 Navigating International and Multicultural Communication
23:18 Building Trust Through Effective Communication
27:47 Promoting Open Conversations About Communication
32:14 Conclusion and Resources for Further Learning
Connect with Erin Lebacqz on LinkedIn
High Value Writing Website
Erin’s book High Value Writing
About The Author
Emily Sander is an ICF-certified leadership coach with more than 15 years of experience in the business world and the author of Hacking Executive Leadership. She’s been featured in several print publications, online articles, and podcasts, including CEO Today Magazine, Leading to Fulfillment, and Leadership Powered by Common Sense.
Emily has a passion for helping business leaders reach their full potential. Go here to read her story from seasoned executive to knowledgeable coach. If you want to send Emily a quick message, then visit her contact page here.