4 Steps on How to Articulate Your Thoughts Clearly at Work

READING TIME - 5 MINUTES

The ability to articulate our thoughts and ideas at work is crucial.

It’s necessary for projects, meetings, speeches, and collaborations, and I would even go so far as to say that it has a big impact on career advancement.

Most people struggle to articulate their thoughts and ideas clearly due to one or more of the following reasons:

• You don’t know what you need to say.
• You jump into speaking without thinking.
• You talk so fast that your thoughts can’t catch up.
• You communicate too much information at once.
• You’re too emotionally involved.
• You use the same vocabulary and sentence structures and can’t pivot easily.

I’ve been there, and I know exactly how it feels.

I stumbled many times in my career—I struggled to convey great ideas, negotiate, respond to questions, and even express my feelings.

This was because I didn’t know how to practice articulating my thoughts or understand what could help me improve in this area.

Being good at articulating your thoughts is a skill, and like any skill, it requires practice.

In this newsletter, I will share four tips to help you articulate better at work.

Tip #1: Write Down Your Thoughts

Your speech is a reflection of your thoughts, so if you need to communicate clearly, you first need to organize your thoughts.

Writing is the best way to organize them.

I read a book called Your Brain at Work, and it changed my life.

I won’t spoil the book for you, but one of its key suggestions is to write down your thoughts so your brain uses less energy trying to organize them.

As a result, you think less about them and organize them so that you can speak more clearly about them.

I write my thoughts before meetings, speeches, and 1:1s, and whenever I get the chance, I write down what I need to talk about. It always helps.

Writing daily also helps me practice organizing my thoughts.

I post on LinkedIn every morning, and I can’t tell you how much it helps me. Not only does it increase my followers (just kidding), but it also sharpens my skill of organizing my thoughts.

So if you take one thing from this newsletter, let it be this: writing is a powerful exercise to help you articulate your thoughts.

Tip #2: Read More

If I could go back to being 20 again, I’d read more—and then I’d read some more.

Reading helps in many ways, but for this particular topic, it teaches you new vocabulary and ways to structure thoughts.

When I started reading more books, it didn’t just help me write my own two books, it actually taught me how to better articulate my thoughts.

Books organize information in a structured way, and reading helps you adopt that structure.

Reading also introduces you to new vocabulary, which broadens your ability to express yourself.

It’s like a meditation exercise for the mind.

Personally, I have a rule that I can’t go to bed before I read at least 5-10 pages. It’s the best rule I have in my day.

Tip #3: Ask for Time When Emotions Run High

When emotions are high, clear articulation becomes difficult.

If you’re too emotionally involved, it’s natural to let your feelings get in the way of communicating effectively.

This is why I lean on one simple technique: asking for time.

If I feel overwhelmed or too emotionally invested in the conversation, I don’t rush into responding.

Instead, I ask for a moment or suggest taking the discussion up later.

This gives me time to gather my thoughts, calm my emotions, and come back to the conversation with clarity and composure.

In emotionally charged situations, taking a breath and allowing yourself space helps avoid saying something you might regret.

It also shows maturity and thoughtfulness.

Tip #4: Breathe

This might sound simple, but breathing is an underrated tool when it comes to clear articulation.

When we’re nervous, stressed, or in a rush, we tend to speak faster, jumble our thoughts, and struggle to get our point across.

Whenever you feel overwhelmed, pause and take a deep breath.

It slows down your speaking pace, helps you regain focus, and gives your brain the oxygen it needs to function at its best.

A few deep breaths before you speak can make a world of difference.

Breathing also helps to ground you in the present moment, making it easier to express your thoughts with calmness and confidence.

It’s a small yet powerful habit to cultivate.

Final Thoughts

Articulating your thoughts clearly at work isn’t just about having the right words—it’s about being intentional and prepared.

Whether through writing, reading, asking for time, or simply taking a breath, each of these steps will help you improve your communication skills.

The more you practice, the more natural and effortless it becomes.

Don’t underestimate the power of these small habits—they can transform how you express yourself and ultimately, how others perceive you.

Remember, clear communication is a skill, and like any skill, it can be developed.

Start today.