Teach-Back
Ask recipients to explain back in their own words.
Explanation
This technique comes from healthcare, where miscommunication can be life-threatening. Research shows that even when we think we're being clear, people misunderstand instructions about half the time. Teach-back reduces medical errors by 40% by catching confusion early. The key is framing it as checking your own communication skills, not testing their intelligence.
Real-World Example
After explaining deployment process: 'Just to make sure I explained it clearly, can you walk me through what you'll do?' They explain back, you catch misunderstanding: 'Oh, I should've clarified—run tests BEFORE merging, not after.'
How to Apply
Frame as checking YOUR communication, not their understanding. 'I want to make sure I explained this well...' After they explain back, clarify gaps without judgment. For critical tasks, have them write it down. In meetings: 'Who can summarize what we just decided?' Catches alignment issues immediately.