7 Mistakes You’re Making with Workplace Communication (and How to Fix Them Using the CHANGE Framework)

We’ve all been there. You send what you think is a crystal-clear email, only to get a reply three hours later that makes it obvious the person didn't read past the first sentence. Or worse, you’re in a meeting where everyone is talking, but somehow, nothing is being said.

In the high-stakes world of business and personal growth, communication isn't just about "talking." It's the engine that drives every project, relationship, and promotion. If that engine is sputtering, your progress stalls.

At Brady Young Change, we live and breathe the CHANGE framework, Communication, Habits, Attitude, Network, Goals, and Education. When we looked at the most common workplace friction points, we found that they almost always trace back to a breakdown in one of these pillars.

If you want to take control of your future and lead with authority, you have to stop making these seven communication blunders. Here is how to fix them using the strategies from Brad Young’s flagship book, CHANGE.

1. Information Overload (The "Wall of Text" Trap)

The Mistake: You think more detail equals more clarity. You send five-paragraph emails and back-to-back Slack messages that bury the actual request under a mountain of context.

The Fix (Pillar: Habits): You need to build a "Filter First" habit. Before you hit send, ask yourself: What is the one thing I need this person to do?

• Actionable Strategy: Use the "Bottom Line Up Front" (BLUF) method. Put your request in the very first sentence. Use bullet points for any supporting data. This habit respects other people’s time and ensures your message isn’t tuned out.

2. Vague Requests and Ambiguous Deadlines

The Mistake: You say things like, "Can you take a look at this when you have a chance?" or "Let's touch base soon." "Soon" isn't a date, and "taking a look" isn't a task.

The Fix (Pillar: Goals): Every communication should be treated like a mini-goal. In the CHANGE framework, goals must be specific and time-bound.

• Actionable Strategy: Replace vague phrases with a "Who/What/When" structure.

3. Broadcasting Instead of Conversing

The Mistake: You use meetings and emails as a megaphone to announce things, but you never stop to listen. You assume silence means agreement, when it usually just means confusion or disengagement.

The Fix (Pillar: Communication): True mastery involves two-way feedback. You have to move from "transmitting" to "connecting."

• Actionable Strategy: Use the "Playback" technique. After giving instructions, ask: "Just to make sure we’re on the same page, what’s your takeaway on the next steps?" This forces an active listening loop and catches misunderstandings before they become expensive mistakes.

4. Letting Your "Work Mask" Dictate Your Tone

The Mistake: Being overly formal, cold, or defensive because you think it sounds "professional." In reality, it just makes you unapproachable and creates a culture of fear or friction.

The Fix (Pillar: Attitude): Shift your mindset from "Protection" to "Collaboration." A positive, open attitude isn't "soft": it's a competitive advantage.

• Actionable Strategy: Assume positive intent. When you receive a blunt or frustrating email, choose to read it in a neutral tone. Instead of firing back a defensive reply, lead with a question: "I want to make sure I understand the concern here: could you clarify what you’d like to see changed?"

5. Working (and Talking) in a Silo

The Mistake: You only communicate with your immediate team. You have no idea what the other departments are doing, which leads to redundant work and missed opportunities for innovation.

The Fix (Pillar: Network): High-performers build "High-Performer Inner Circles." This means reaching across the aisle.

• Actionable Strategy: Schedule one "curiosity coffee" (even a 10-minute virtual one) per week with someone outside your immediate circle. Ask them: "What’s the biggest challenge your team is facing right now?" Connecting these dots in your network makes you the most informed person in the room.

6. Using Jargon to Look Smart

The Mistake: Using acronyms and corporate buzzwords like "leverage," "synergy," and "bandwidth" to the point where your message loses all meaning.

The Fix (Pillar: Education): The best communicators are the best educators. You should be able to explain a complex concept to a five-year-old.

• Actionable Strategy: Constant learning involves simplifying your own knowledge. Read outside your industry to learn how different fields explain concepts. If you can’t explain your project without using three acronyms, you don't understand it well enough yet.

7. Analysis Paralysis in Decision Making

The Mistake: You keep the conversation going forever because you’re afraid to make a call. You ask for "one more opinion" or "more data" instead of providing a clear direction.

The Fix (Business Decision Making): In Brad Young’s #1 bestselling book, Business Decision Making, he emphasizes that a "good" decision made now is often better than a "perfect" decision made too late.

• Actionable Strategy: Implement the "70% Rule." If you have 70% of the information and a clear sense of the risk, communicate the decision and move. Stop the endless "reply-all" chains by being the person who says: "Based on the data we have, we are moving forward with Option A. I’ll take full responsibility for the pivot if needed."

Transform Your Life through CHANGE

Communication is the first pillar of the CHANGE framework for a reason. Without it, your habits fall apart, your attitude sours, and your network remains small.

If you're ready to stop making these mistakes and start leading with impact, it’s time to dive deeper into the complete roadmap for personal and professional growth. Brad Young’s book CHANGE provides the full research-backed strategy to transform your life across all six crucial areas.

Ready to level up?

• Listen: Check out the latest episodes on the PodCentral Publishing Network for more insights on business decision-making and personal transformation.

• Read: Grab your copy of CHANGE and Business Decision Making to get the actionable strategies you need for today’s world.

Don't just wait for things to get better. Be the catalyst. Start making the CHANGE today.