Clear the Chat, Lead the Team

Why even a birthday group text needs direction

Last weekend, I got roped into helping plan a surprise birthday for an old college buddy. Someone created a group chat—within minutes, it exploded into inside jokes, memes, and “remember that time...” stories.

After scrolling through 63 unread messages and zero actual plans, I vented to my wife, Jay, who simply said: “Sounds like a coaching opportunity. Anchor the conversation.”

She had a point. In leadership—and in group chats—clarity creates calm.

I see this all the time with clients. A new manager assumes the team knows what’s expected, but if expectations aren’t clearly set, results get messy. People need direction, not guesswork.

So, I regrouped, clarified the goal, set some mini-deadlines, and—not surprisingly—the party came together.

The lesson? Whether you're leading a team or planning a party, clear communication and aligned expectations make all the difference.

And yes—Jay was right. Again.

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