11 Crucial Professional Communication Tips from Career Experts
At Mandel Marketing, we work with clients across industries to help refine not just their external messaging, but also how their teams communicate internally. In fast-moving workplaces, professional communication isn’t just a “soft skill”—it’s a strategic advantage. Our founder even wrote a whole book about it, An MFA For Your MBA (2024).
We recently asked executives, marketers, consultants, and communication pros one simple question: What’s one key piece of advice you’ve learned about professional communication that made a real difference?
No fluff. No generic tips. Just real insight from people who’ve been in the trenches.
Here are 11 smart, tactical lessons—from overcoming jargon and structuring complex ideas to sharing clarity early and leading with your ask—that you can apply today.
Share Early Clarity Over Perfect Communication
One thing I’ve learned the hard way people don’t need long explanations. They just need clarity and honesty, early. So now, whenever something’s shifting internal priorities, goals, or team structure we talk about it as soon as possible. Even if the message isn’t tidy.
I used to wait until everything was figured out before communicating. But by then, people had already filled in the gaps themselves, often with worse assumptions than reality. So now, we say, “Here’s what we know so far, and here’s what’s still uncertain.” That approach has helped us cut down on confusion and unnecessary stress.
The key is to talk like a human, not like you’re drafting a company-wide memo. No jargon. No long intros. Just a straight message. That builds trust faster than any well-worded email.
Vikrant Bhalodia, Head of Marketing & People Ops, WeblineIndia
Admit Knowledge Gaps to Build Trust
My top tip: don’t feel like you need to have all the answers on the spot (or pretend that you do). Things move quickly in today’s business world, and no matter how skilled or experienced you are, nobody knows everything. I understand the pressure to seem competent, especially in leadership roles, but I’ve found that being honest about knowledge gaps actually builds more trust than guessing and getting it wrong.
If I’m asked a question I don’t know the answer to, my go-to response is:
“That’s a great question. I don’t know off the top of my head, but let me do some research and I’ll get back to you by [date/time].”
This does three things:
- It shows the person asking that you’re taking their question seriously.
- It builds credibility—people trust your answer more when they know it’s researched.
- It demonstrates a commitment to accuracy, transparency, and follow-through.
In the long run, being clear about what you don’t know, and proactive in finding the answer, serves you far better than trying to improvise a response on the fly.
David Case, President, Advastar
Assume Zero Context for Clearer Communication
One piece of advice I’d give is: “Always assume the person you’re talking to has no context.”
This mindset has completely changed the way I communicate. Whether I’m sending an email, explaining an SEO strategy, or giving feedback to the team, I never assume the other person knows what I know. It’s easy to forget that not everyone’s on the same page.
For example, when talking SEO or a website update, I don’t dive straight into the techy jargon. I break it down, explain the “why,” and keep it simple. That way, they get it without needing to ask a dozen follow-up questions.
It might seem small, but taking that extra step to make things crystal clear saves a ton of time and frustration. It’s a simple shift that makes communication way sharper and more effective.
Nirmal Gyanwali, Founder & CMO, WP Creative
Drop Corporate Jargon for Authentic Connection
Years ago, my mentor gave me one of the most impactful pieces of advice I’ve ever received:
Drop the corporate jargon.
At the time, we were at the height of phrases like “circling back,” “promoting synergy,” and “leveraging low-hanging fruit.” Everyone spoke in euphemisms, and I don’t think it was a coincidence that I was constantly running into miscommunications.
All that language I thought made me sound professional and sharp was actually getting in the way of real understanding. It wasted time, created confusion, and eroded trust. People were nodding along without actually grasping what I meant—or worse, walking away with entirely different interpretations.
Speaking plainly and from the heart was something I had to relearn, but it’s been incredibly valuable. These days, people often tell me they feel disarmed by how direct and genuine I am. It’s become a kind of secret superpower—especially in an industry like mine, where vague, overly polished language is still far too common. The shift has made me a stronger communicator and a more effective leader.
Rob Reeves, CEO and President, Redfish Technology
Summarize What You Heard for Better Alignment
One key piece of advice I’ve learned about professional communication is this: always summarize back what you think you heard, even if you’re sure you understood it. Especially in cross-functional teams, clarity lives in the echo. The moment you say, “Just to make sure I’m aligned, here’s how I’m interpreting what you’re asking,” you uncover hidden assumptions, avoid misfires, and instantly elevate trust.
I used to think being efficient meant replying quickly. Now I know that being effective often means taking ten extra seconds to confirm the direction before you act. That small habit has saved me from countless unnecessary revisions and has made me the person people trust to “get it right the first time.”
Mel Trari, Marketing Manager, InterviewPal
Be Specific With Your Ask
One key piece of advice I’ve learned in my career about professional communication is to be super clear and concise with your ask.
I’ve learned that the more specific and direct I am about what I need from someone, the better the response I’ll get.
For example, instead of sending an email that says, “Can we talk about the project sometime soon?”, I’ll be specific: “I need 30 minutes of your time tomorrow at 2 PM to discuss the final steps of the project. Please confirm if that works.”
Being direct like this saves a ton of time and back and forth. When done tactfully, I think people appreciate my clarity because it makes it easier for them to act.
Dave Lavinsky, President, PlanPros
Over-Communicate Details for Seamless Event Execution
One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received throughout my career on communicating professionally is to over-communicate concerning the relevant details, especially while coordinating complex logistics such as corporate event transportation, which is a large part of our business at LAXcar. When it comes to planning transportation for presidential events, you can’t just pay attention to the basics. Sharing some context, such as potential delays or backup plans, can make all the difference, keeping everyone informed and on the same page.
For example, during one of its largest corporate events ever, in Los Angeles, I not only verified and reiterated standard details, such as pick-up times, locations, and vehicles, but also texted them with real-time updates about challenges they might face, such as road closures and heavy traffic (the area of their event was experiencing several large events at that time). I also stated clearly what the expectations were, and I was right there, explaining what the contingency plan would be if they started experiencing too many delays, whether they could reroute, or add it to another vehicle when necessary.
Over-communicating helped us earn that trust and confidence with the client. When a slight delay didn’t happen, the client knew in advance, and the situation was handled without any anxiety. This early correspondence was a major contributor to the success of the event and has played a crucial role in building our relationships with high-net-worth individuals and corporate clients who demand perfection.
Arsen Misakyan, CEO and Founder, LAXcar
Lead With Conclusions Before Supporting Details
I have found that the most effective way to communicate is to lead with the main takeaway or conclusion, then share the details behind it.
For instance, instead of diving straight into all the numbers, I’ll start with, “The results of the engineering analysis look good,” or, “The outcome of our supplier negotiation wasn’t what we hoped for” followed by “here’s what happened”.
This way, my audience knows straight away where things stand, feels motivated to engage, and can follow the reasoning that comes next. Overall, this approach brings clarity to conversations.
Nikos Apergis, Management Consultant, Alphacron
Structure Complex Information for Better Comprehension
One key piece of advice I’ve learned in professional communication is the importance of clarity through structure. When communicating complex ideas or legal concepts, breaking down information into digestible sections with clear headings, bullet points, or numbered lists significantly improves comprehension. This approach not only makes your message more accessible but also helps the recipient easily find the most relevant information. I’ve found that overloading a message with too much detail without a clear framework can lead to confusion or misinterpretation. Whether you’re writing a legal document, an email to a client, or even creating content for a website, organizing your thoughts in a structured, easy-to-follow format ensures your message is received as intended and builds trust with your audience.
Amir Husen, Content Writer, SEO Specialist & Associate, ICS Legal
Put Your Ask First in Emails
Send your “ask” in the first sentence of any email—I’ve found this single practice transformed my communication during 15 years in my industry.
After watching hundreds of executives scan emails during meetings, I realized messages without clear requests often get buried or forgotten entirely.
For my niche (virtual events) especially, where attention spans are shorter, my team now structures all client communications with the specific request upfront, followed by supporting details. This approach reduced our follow-up emails by nearly half and dramatically improved client response rates.
I believe this small adjustment pays enormous dividends—clients appreciate directness, and it prevents that frustrating cycle of back-and-forth clarifications that can derail timelines. Something as simple as starting with “Approval needed for stage design by Thursday” rather than building context first has, perhaps, been the biggest time-saver throughout my career.
Michelle Garrison, Event Tech and AI Strategist, We & Goliath
Direct Communication Drives Faster Decision Making
In my career, being direct and concise helps prevent misunderstandings and keeps conversations focused. Instead of layering on jargon or unnecessary details, I aim to distill my message to its essence. This saves time and ensures that everyone is on the same page. When I communicate with clarity, my team makes quicker decisions and takes action without second-guessing what I mean. Emphasizing clarity encourages a more open dialogue, where questions can be asked freely, leading to more effective collaboration and problem-solving.
Josh Qian, COO and Co-Founder, Best Online Cabinets
Need Help With Professional Communication? Contact Mandel Marketing.
Whether you’re leading a team, managing clients, or just trying to get your message across more effectively, these communication tips are a reminder that clarity and authenticity win every time.
Bonus! Here are six more business writing tips.
At Mandel Marketing, we help businesses sharpen not just their marketing voice but their internal alignment—because great communication is the engine behind strong branding, smoother operations, and better client outcomes.
If your team could benefit from clearer, more strategic professional communication—externally or internally—we’re here to help.