Confirm the instructions you give others, and their commitments, in writing.  Don’t assume it will get done.

The point here is that we often believe we have communicated clearly when we have only transmitted clearly.  It is just as important to make sure that the message has been properly received and that you and your team agree on what everybody is committing to.

Confirming instructions and commitments in writing helps to give structure to the communication process and ensure that everybody knows what needs to be done, and who will do it.

In addition, verbally ask others to replay your instructions back to you, then put the instructions in your own words and make sure you will get an affirmative nod from the recipients.

Keep the confirmation of instructions and commitments clear and crisp so as not to bureaucratize the process.