Lessons from the Field #2: Clarity is Kindness

shantel kent

Sep 20

1 min read

I’ve learned this the hard way…

If I’m not clear, I can’t expect consistency.

And in operations, inconsistency shows up fast.

We miss targets.

We chase the same issues.

We start asking, “Why isn’t this getting better?”

But when I really step back and look at it…

Most of the time, it comes down to one thing:

I wasn’t as clear as I thought I was.

Not clear on the expectation.

Not clear on what “good” actually looks like.

Not clear on where the line is.

So the team fills in the gaps…

And everyone ends up running a different play.

That’s not a people issue.

That’s on me as the leader.

I’ve had to get more intentional about:

• Setting the standard upfront

• Being specific, not general

• Following up instead of assuming

Because clarity isn’t being tough…

It’s being fair.

People deserve to know:

Where they stand.

What’s expected.

What needs to change.

Avoiding the conversation doesn’t make it easier…

It just makes it last longer.

Clear is kind.

Clear is fair.

And clear is what drives results.

This one hit me recently during field conversations—curious how others handle balancing clarity vs. approachability.

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