Why communication is everything

The silent dealbreaker in partnerships.

“I’m exhausted.”

That was the sentence that echoed in my head. And it wasn’t physical exhaustion – it was the kind that comes from carrying something that was never meant to be carried alone.

This goes against everything I teach and practice. I believe in systems. I advocate for autonomy, trust, and letting people own their work. I don’t want to micromanage. But I do need to know what’s going on.

Six days from the deadline, and the design wasn’t even properly delegated. I had to step in. Again.

It was a Friday. The designer would be out over the weekend. That meant the next workable day was Monday, three days from launch. And yet, the entire past week had gone by without confirmation.

There’s always been this unspoken expectation that I would check in on my own, fill in the blanks, and cover the gaps. I would raise solutions, like setting up a simple group chat to keep everyone in the loop. But all I’d get in return was an acknowledgement. No follow-through. No action.

And the final straw? She told me she was doing something fun and hadn’t replied because of that.

I had cleared my schedule, cancelled meetings, and carved out hours to ensure things were on track. But her leisure came first. Because, whether communicated or not, the assumption was that Sab would figure it out. That Sab will fix it.

That’s the pressure I felt.

If something was communicated, I could work with it. If tasks were clearly delegated, I’d be happy to support. But I was never told. I had to constantly guess, read between the lines – worse, read minds.

The reality check

I found myself in a partnership that began with excitement but gradually became draining. My partner was disorganised, barely communicated, and often left crucial tasks undone. It wasn’t just once or twice; it was a pattern. Silence became the norm. And it was exhausting.

What frustrated me the most wasn’t that I had to take over the tasks. I’m capable. I can get things done. What frustrated me was the lack of communication. A simple message to say, “I can’t manage this” or “Can you take over?” would have changed everything. Instead, I was left guessing. And, guessing, in any partnership, is a fast track to burnout.

Communication is respect

When someone doesn’t communicate, what they’re really saying is: It’s not important enough to let you know.

That hurts. Especially when you’re pulling your weight, over-delivering, and still having to micromanage just to make sure things don’t fall apart. It’s not sustainable. It’s not healthy.

Eventually, I realised something: This wasn’t going to work out. The reliance on me was too high. There was no structure. No willingness to bring in help. And no openness to feedback. For someone who now manages hundreds of students and multiple ventures, micromanaging a partner just isn’t realistic.

The real cost of poor communication

Poor communication doesn’t just delay timelines. It erodes trust. It causes emotional fatigue. It leads to overthinking and assumptions. It makes people feel undervalued and alone. And in business, it can be the difference between scaling and stalling.

What good communication looks like

• Proactive updates: Even if something is delayed, communicate it.
• Clear delegation: Who’s doing what by when?
• Accountability: Own both wins and missteps.
• Openness: If things aren’t working, talk about it.

A good partner doesn’t need to be perfect. But they do need to be present.

Can it be salvaged? Tips for realignment

Not all partnerships are doomed – sometimes they just need a reset. If you’re seeing signs of poor communication, try these:

• Initiate the conversation: Frame it around shared goals, not blame.
• Agree on a rhythm: Weekly check-ins, clear deliverables, and preferred communication channels.
• Define roles clearly: Know who is responsible for what, and when.
• Use tools: Shared boards, calendars, even AI task assistants like Seraphina to keep things on track.
• Set a timeframe: Try a 30-day “alignment sprint” to see if improvements stick.
• Be honest about the outcome: If it still doesn’t work, it’s okay to part ways respectfully.

Why it matters beyond the team

This isn’t just about internal partnerships. Communication is the foundation of every relationship – with your agency, your peers, and your clients. It’s how expectations are managed, trust is built, and projects succeed.

For speakers and creators, communication isn’t just a behind-the-scenes function – it’s your craft. If your profession is to speak, the way you communicate behind the mic needs to reflect the way you engage off it, too.

Whether it’s prepping a brief, updating your project team, or managing a speaking gig, clarity, responsiveness, and follow-through matter.

Which brings me to something exciting – an article on e27, exploring communication strategies with insights from our very own Speakers Society founding member, Nicholas Wong, an expert in the art of impactful communication.

A note to founders and creators

Whether you’re building a startup, a side hustle, or a content empire, the people you choose to collaborate with will make or break your momentum. Vet your partners not just for skills, but for how they communicate. Because when the going gets tough (and it always does), communication will be the difference between pulling together or falling apart.

Set expectations. Use systems. Get aligned. Or walk away.

Because at the end of the day, communication isn’t just a tool – it’s a reflection of respect, accountability, and integrity. And if that’s missing? It might be time to move on.