Is it *Really* a Communication Problem?

Episode 14: Is it*Really* a Communication Problem?

The project missed the mark. The timeline slipped. The results weren’t what anyone hoped for.

And in the post-mortem, someone finally said it:

“We just need to communicate better.”

But what if that’s not the real problem?

This episode exposes the hidden leadership and execution breakdowns that get mislabeled as “communication issues”—and why that label keeps you stuck in the same cycle.

If you’re leading a team that keeps missing expectations—or if you’re frustrated that things aren’t getting done the way you intended—this episode is for you.

We’ll unpack:

• Why calling it a “communication problem” often stops the conversation too soon
• The difference between talking about work vs. designing for execution
• How to catch drift and misalignment before it becomes visible failure
• A better set of questions to ask when handing off initiatives
• Why your team isn’t defiant or resistant—they’re unclear

And a word of caution: If you keep seeing performance gaps and repeating the phrase “We need to communicate better,” you may be treating the symptom instead of the system.

Reflection Questions (from the episode):

• What’s one recent performance issue you labeled as “communication”?
• Did you define what success looked like—or just describe the project?
• When was the last time you confirmed shared expectations in writing?
• Are you building a culture of inspection or assumption?

Bonus Reflection Questions:

• Where in your leadership are you talking about execution—but not designing for it?
• What’s one conversation you need to revisit with clearer expectations and ownership?

Links and Resources:

The right question changes everything. Grab the free Next Question Guide → NextQuestionGuide.com

Connect with James on LinkedIn → linkedin.com/in/jamesmayhew

Want to learn more or work together? → JamesMayhew.com