“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” — George Bernard Shaw
About the Quote: George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) was an Irish playwright, critic, and polemicist who received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1925. Known for his wit and sharp social commentary, Shaw often critiqued human miscommunication and the assumptions we make in relationships.
Why Solopreneurs Struggle With Miscommunication
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When I was scaling my company, I learned this lesson the hard way: you think you’ve been clear, but the other person heard something completely different. Solopreneurs face this constantly with clients and collaborators. You assume your instructions were understood, only to find the delivered work doesn’t match what you envisioned.
The Assumption Trap
The illusion of communication often comes from assumptions. You assume the client understands your process. You assume your collaborator knows what “ASAP” means. You assume your contractor caught every detail in your quick Slack message. But assumptions create gaps — and those gaps cost time, money, and trust.
Real-World Impact on Client Management
I once promised a client that we would “launch next week.” To me, that meant beta launch with a limited rollout. To them, it meant full public launch with press coverage. That gap cost us three stressful weeks of backtracking. As solopreneurs, we can’t afford these misunderstandings — every mistake hits our reputation directly.
How to Prevent the Illusion of Communication
- Over-clarify timelines: Replace “soon” with exact dates.
- Summarize agreements: After calls, send recap emails outlining what was decided.
- Check for understanding: Ask clients and collaborators to repeat back the plan in their own words.
- Document everything: Contracts and project briefs reduce room for error.
Why This Matters for Solopreneurs
Unlike big companies, solopreneurs don’t have buffers — no account managers, no legal teams, no customer service reps to absorb mistakes. Every illusion of communication lands squarely on your shoulders. Clarity isn’t just a skill; it’s survival.
Conclusion
Shaw was right: the greatest communication problem is believing it has happened when it hasn’t. Solopreneurs who confirm, document, and over-clarify avoid costly mistakes and build stronger, smoother relationships with clients and collaborators.