In consulting the real goal is to make people understand your ideas, not to show how much you know. Many professionals use complicated words and heavy technical terms because it sounds impressive. It may work in a classroom or at a conference but it does not help when you are guiding a client who needs clarity, not complexity.
Simple language builds trust. When you explain something in a way that anyone can follow, the client feels confident that you understand the problem and that your solution will work. Clear communication avoids misunderstandings, saves time and makes decisions faster.
Consultants deal with people from different backgrounds. Some have deep technical knowledge, others do not. If your message is buried under jargon, you lose the attention of the very people you want to help. When your language is clear, your ideas reach everyone including decision makers who may not know the technical details.
The Real Challenge of Keeping It Simple
Using simple language sounds easy but in real consulting work it is not always straightforward. Many times you know the perfect word for what you want to say but you avoid it because you feel the client may not understand it. The alternative is to replace that one precise word with a full sentence or even a few sentences. This takes more time and can interrupt the flow of the discussion.
This is the real challenge. Consultants cannot depend on complicated words because they risk losing the audience. At the same time they cannot oversimplify everything because then the message becomes long or unclear. The skill lies in finding the balance between being accurate and being easy to understand.
Good consultants do this all the time. They choose simple words when possible, explain difficult terms when needed and avoid anything that might confuse the listener. The goal is not to remove complexity from the subject. The goal is to present the complexity in a way that keeps everyone on the same page.
Using Local Language to Build a Connection
There is another aspect of communication that often makes a big difference. Simple language, blended with a couple of local words, especially during the ice breaker, helps create an instant connection. It makes the audience more comfortable and shows that you are not trying to speak above them. This small effort often builds trust faster than any formal introduction.
There have been times when I have deliberately used a pronunciation that is considered wrong because the correct one would have sounded strange or too foreign to the people in the room. This is particularly true when talking to factory staff or other ground level employees. For them communication is not about perfect grammar or textbook pronunciation. It is about feeling understood and included.
Consultants who pay attention to these details communicate better. A slightly imperfect word that feels familiar can be more effective than a perfect one that feels distant. It shows respect for the audience. It shows that you understand their environment and you are speaking to them, not at them.
Communication That Works for Everyone
Simple language is not a sign of weak knowledge. In fact it shows mastery. When you truly understand a subject you can explain it in a way that even a non expert can follow.
At Tuhund we see this every day. ERP projects involve processes, operations and data. These topics can easily become complex but our focus is always on clarity. When explanations are simple and relatable, clients understand what is happening, what to expect and why a particular approach is the right one.
In the end effective consulting is not about sounding sophisticated. It is about making sure the message reaches every person in the room, from senior management to factory floor staff. When your communication is clear, direct and relatable, the entire project benefits.
