I'm a word nerd, so bear with me...

I was on a Zoom call with a brilliant friend yesterday (I don't use that word lightly, JG - that is exactly what I think of you) and I was giving him an overview of my Clarity Fuel Formula.

I arrived at the part where I sketch out my really-big-picture vision - that groups and entire companies can finally standardize on a common framework and language for communication effectiveness. Based on the operating system (the rules and expectations) of the human brain.

As far as I know, such a thing does not currently exist, especially in a practical and actionable format.

He said, "it sounds like what you're driving at is a human-to-human communications protocol." Bingo! That was the word I was missing.

How do computers and other devices communicate? By standardized protocols. Oxford definition: "a set of rules governing the exchange or transmission of data between devices."

Well, we need that for people, too. Unless we have common concepts, and terms, and meaning - a useful and practical framework - we are inevitably going to miscommunicate.

Right now, we have a vast array of communications schemes, programs, acronyms, and applications. A corporation may have this email recipe. That business writing method. The other presentation program. It's all siloed, and that creates confusion and inefficiency.

Also, it's impossible to remember and apply all those disparate schemes.

But let's boil it down to a very simple baseline: what is the common denominator in communication? I propose that one is the most vital, and applies to the entire human race:

The human brain

Roughly speaking, that brain is going to receive (& deliver) human communication via two "wavelengths"

• Verbal (or, better, words)
• Non-verbal (body language, facial expression, gestures, etc.)

I'm going to stick with words for the time being. The other is important, but isn't currently addressed by the Clarity framework.

I want to use words to get my meaning into your head, and vice-versa. But first, we need to crack the code of the brain's operating system for word processing. The great news - we do know what the brain wants. And we can learn to design every and any form of communication to be brain-friendly.

When we get to the point with our words, and turn the light on in the listener's mind - we win. That's good for the "one."

But it's way more powerful for the "many." When a team or organization standardizes on a universally applicable protocol (that's what the Clarity Fuel Formula is designed for), then we can finally achieve aligned understanding and effective reinforcement of best practices. Efficiency and accuracy take root and grow.

My upcoming book,?The Point, provides the framework for applying brain-friendly, human-centric communication skills. While that book will be published in the fall, my workshops based on the Clarity Fuel Formula are available?now?to any group that wants to upskill their people.

"I work in a complex industry, so it’s incredibly challenging to craft communications that are clear enough to be impactful and yet comprehensive enough to relay the full message. My team was experiencing this tension every day, and we were determined to find a better way.

"After Steve’s training, my team re-assessed the clarity of our materials and began using proven tools and techniques to improve them. The team was most struck by the idea of memory darts, and the need to fight against ambiguous language (it’s harder than it sounds).

"Steve’s style made the lessons memorable - his mental shortcuts, quick lists, humor, and examples ensured that months later, we still recall the learnings and can apply them easily." -Steph Dreyer, Marketing Director, MetLife

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Steve Woodruff is the author of the book?Clarity Wins?(and the upcoming book The Point - How to Win with Clarity-Fueled Communications). He facilitates?workshops for organizations and teams looking to equip their employees with superior communication skills.