If a 13-Year-Old Cannot Understand, It’s Not Clear Enough
Clarity is one of the most powerful yet underrated tools of communication. Whether you’re delivering a speech, writing a blog post, or pitching an idea, the ability to explain something in a way that is instantly understood is what separates strong communicators from those who struggle to connect. A simple rule of thumb? If a 13-year-old cannot grasp your message, it’s probably not clear enough.
This principle isn’t about oversimplifying or watering down your ideas. It’s about making them accessible, digestible, and impactful. Some of the greatest leaders in history—Martin Luther King Jr., Barack Obama, Steve Jobs—had a unique ability to take complex ideas and express them in ways that resonated with everyday people. Their genius wasn’t just in their knowledge, but in their clarity.
Why Clarity Matters
In today’s fast-paced world, where people scroll through information at lightning speed, clarity is more important than ever. You only have a few seconds to capture attention. If your message is too convoluted, filled with jargon, or buried under unnecessary complexity, it won’t stick. Worse, your audience may lose interest altogether.
Consider the difference between these two explanations of the same concept:
❌ Complicated Version: “The optimization of communicative efficiency necessitates the refinement of lexical selection and syntactic structuring to maximize audience comprehension.”
✅ Clear Version: “To communicate effectively, choose the right words and keep your sentences simple.”
Both sentences convey the same idea, but one is accessible while the other is needlessly complicated. If you want people to engage with your message, clarity is non-negotiable.
Clarity is an Act of Respect
When you communicate clearly, you show respect for your audience’s time and attention. You’re telling them, “I value you enough to make this easy to understand.”
Think of a teacher explaining a difficult concept to a student. A good teacher won’t use complicated words just to sound smart. Instead, they’ll break things down, use analogies, and ensure the student walks away with real understanding. That’s the approach we should all take when writing, speaking, or explaining ideas—whether to a boardroom or a teenager.
How to Make Your Message Clearer
If you find yourself struggling to communicate an idea clearly, here are some practical steps to simplify your message:
1. Remove Unnecessary Jargon
Industry-specific terms might make sense to experts, but they can alienate others. Use plain language whenever possible.
Example: Instead of saying, “Leverage synergistic strategies for enhanced cross-platform engagement,” say, “Work together to improve how we connect with people on different platforms.”
2. Use Analogies and Examples
People remember stories and comparisons better than abstract concepts. If you can relate your point to something familiar, it will stick.
Example: If explaining encryption, say, “Think of it like a secret code only you and your friend know. Even if someone else sees the message, they won’t understand it.”
3. Keep Sentences Short and Direct
Long, winding sentences lose readers. Aim for clear, concise statements that get straight to the point.
Example: Instead of “Due to the multifaceted nature of human decision-making, it is often the case that individuals struggle to arrive at definitive conclusions,” say, “People often have a hard time making decisions.”
4. Ask Yourself: Would a 13-Year-Old Understand This?
If not, simplify it. Try explaining your idea to an actual teenager. If they don’t get it, refine it further.
The Power of Clarity in Business and Life
This principle extends beyond writing. Whether you’re leading a team, pitching investors, or selling a product, your success hinges on how well you can communicate.
Apple, for example, has mastered this. Instead of bombarding customers with technical specs, they market their products with simple, clear messages: “1,000 songs in your pocket” (iPod). That level of clarity creates connection and drives action.
The same applies in leadership. People follow leaders who can articulate a vision simply and powerfully. If your team doesn’t understand your goals, how can they help you achieve them?
Clear communication isn’t about dumbing things down; it’s about making sure your message lands. If you can’t explain something simply, you probably don’t understand it well enough yourself.
So next time you’re writing, speaking, or explaining an idea, ask yourself: Would a 13-year-old understand this? If not, go back, refine, and simplify. Because the clearer your message, the more powerful your impact.
