Each week, we share a practical technique to become a more effective storyteller and analyze a video that demonstrates its use in the real-world.
Quote of the week
"The one thing I’ve learned is don’t lie to the people. Don’t tell your people one thing when the reality is something different” - Indra Nooyi
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How to Speak with Clarity - Even When You Don’t Have the Answers
How do we speak to others when we ourselves don’t have all the answers?
Uncertainty isn’t rare - it’s the normal texture of how we live and work. But that doesn’t make it any easier to figure out what to say, let alone how to say it.
Whether it’s our team, our manager, or our family, silence or vague reassurances don’t help. What does help is a simple way to frame the fog. That’s where the 3C Framework comes in.
The 3Cs Framework: Context / Candor / Commitment
Context - share what you do know.
Leader (AI): “We know AI will change how we work, especially in reporting, analysis, and client service.”
Team member: “We’ve tested a summarization tool that reduces prep time from three hours to 45 minutes.”
Candor - acknowledge what you don’t know.
Leader: “We don’t yet know which tools will last, or how regulations will land. We’ll need to adapt.”
Team member: “We don't know how good or appropriate it is for compliance-heavy tasks.”
Commitment - say what you will do next.
Leader: “We’ll run three AI pilots this quarter, share learnings monthly, and make sure no one is left behind.”
Team member: “Next week, I’ll expand the pilot to two more accounts and track both time saved and accuracy.”
The 3Cs don’t make uncertainty disappear. They make it navigable - building trust in times when trust is needed most.
Want to Sharpen Your Storytelling Skills?
Next cohort of Success Through Persuasive Storytelling (rating 4.8/5) with Sri Srikrishna and Bikash Chowdhury starts soon. Registrations open.
Video
Jacinda Ardern, former Prime Minister of New Zealand used this framework extensively in her addresses to her nation during Covid-19.
In this 1:46 min video, she talks about how leaders can gain trust by accepting that they don’t have all the answers. “During Covid, it was clear we didn’t have all the knowledge that we needed.” But “it is not okay to say you don’t have a plan." If you can show where you are headed, people understand the need for pivot and change.
Try 1-3 this week
This week, experiment with the 3Cs in two different settings:
At work - Take one project update that feels foggy. Instead of saying “it’s complicated” or “we’re figuring it out,” write a 3-part update:
Context: one sentence on what’s clear
Candor: one sentence on what’s still uncertain
Commitment: one sentence on what you’ll do next
Deliver this in your next team meeting or email. Watch how it reduces anxiety and builds credibility.
At home - Try it in a personal conversation. Example:
Context: “Work has been demanding.”
Candor: “I don’t yet know how long this project will run.”
Commitment: “I’ll keep evenings free this weekend so we have time together.”
Notice how the same structure works in both places. It doesn’t just make you clearer to others. It helps you think straighter yourself.