Clarify vs explain

KLAIR-ih-fyexplain · ik-SPLAYN

Make one unclear point precise, not walk through the whole thing again.

“Can you clarify what 'done' means here: merged, or live in production?”

When “explain” is right“Can you explain how the caching layer works for the new folks on the team?”

From Wed, Sep 30 2026 · Disagreeing well

Practice it out loud

Pick a decision at work you don't fully agree with. Out loud, name one concern (not an objection), one assumption behind the decision, and the tradeoff you'd accept. Stay calm and neutral, with no filler words.

More words from that day