What You Heard Is Not What They Meant: The Clean Language Secret to Better Leadership Conversations

In this episode of the Wake Up Eager Workforce Podcast, Suzie Price sits down with Judy Rees, a leading voice in Clean Language, to explore how this powerful tool can transform leadership conversations.

Rather than making assumptions and jumping to conclusions, Clean Language helps leaders ask better questions and truly understand what people mean. Judy explains how leaders can use these tools to reduce miscommunication, make better decisions, and build high-commitment, low-drama teams.

Suzie and Judy dive into the top questions that leaders can start using right away to unlock clarity in conversations and guide teams toward better collaboration and problem-solving. They also discuss the importance of reflection, active listening, and understanding in leadership, emphasizing how Clean Language improves both the listening and speaking skills of leaders.

This episode is a must-listen for any leader who wants to stop misinterpreting and instead create meaningful, action-oriented conversations that lead to clearer outcomes and stronger team dynamics.

 

 

Top Takeaways of Episode #146 --- 

• What you heard is not what they meant — We automatically interpret through our own experience. That meaning-making is the #1 reason conversations go wrong
• One simple question can unlock clarity — “What kind of X is that X?” reveals what someone actually means. Even one question can change the entire direction of a conversation.
• Stop solving the problem—ask what they want — “What would you like to happen?” shifts from complaint → outcome. This is the fastest way to move people forward.
• People feel heard when you use their exact words — Repeating someone’s language activates connection and trust. It literally changes how people experience the conversation.
• Slow down to speed up — Each question takes ~1 minute. But prevents miscommunication, rework, and wasted time.

 

 

In this episode:

[00:00:34] Suzie Price: "Clean Language isn’t about fixing things — it’s about understanding them first so that we can solve the right problem."

[00:05:12] Judy Rees: "What you heard is not what they said. Leaders often misinterpret because they’re hearing with their assumptions, not with their ears."

[00:09:14] Tom Hanson: "Leaders are often making decisions based on incomplete information. Asking better questions helps get to the heart of what is actually needed."

[00:05:31] Judy Rees: "You are making meaning—and it’s distorting what you’re hearing. The key is to ask more questions to avoid jumping to conclusions."

[00:19:20] Suzie Price: "When you give people space to explain themselves fully, you avoid rushing to judgment, which allows for deeper insights and stronger solutions."

[00:50:23] Tom Hanson: "Stop trying to solve problems before you truly understand them. By questioning first, you lay the groundwork for more effective and sustainable solutions."