Better Communication Does Not Always Fix the Fit

A lot of leaders hope a performance issue is actually just a communication issue.

That way it feels easier to solve. So you clarify the expectations again. You provide more feedback and try to improve the lines of communication.

Sometimes, communication actually improves. The defensiveness goes down. The meetings become less frequent. It feels like you’re getting them back on track.

But the work still isn't where it needs to be.

The KPIs are still missed. The work still requires a constant cleanup job from you. The team is still working around the gap. You still feel the weight of a decision you’re hoping you don’t have to make.

This is one of the hardest parts of leadership. Improved communication gives you a clearer picture. It reveals whether the problem was a misunderstanding, a capability gap, an ownership issue, or a fundamental lack of fit. But it doesn't automatically fix the fit.

For CEOs and senior leaders, the cost here is bigger than one person’s output. A key role that isn’t working acts as an organizational bottleneck. It slows the pace of the business and eventually erodes the team’s trust in your ability to make hard calls.

Clarity can be useful because it finally exposes what you’ve been trying to ignore.