Stop Trying to Sound Smart: The Case for Simpler Writing

Big words and complex sentences don’t make you a better writer; that's what clarity does. Strip away the clutter and let your ideas shine.

We’ve all seen writing so stuffed with jargon and corporate buzzwords that it becomes nearly unreadable. Business leaders, engineers, and other professionals often fall into the trap of trying to sound smart instead of communicating clearly.

But the best writers know that clarity isn’t dumbing things down; it’s a sign of real expertise.

Good writing isn’t about sounding impressive. It’s about helping readers understand and making them think.

If you truly understand something, you can explain it simply. Complex, bloated writing doesn’t make you look intelligent. It makes you look like you're trying too hard.

Which version of this sentence do you prefer?

🚫 The implementation of innovative solutions facilitates the optimization of organizational efficiencies.

✅ New ideas help companies work better.

The first version is tangled in unnecessary words. The second is clear and direct. Which one gets the message across faster?

🔒 Full subscribers: Let’s practice simplifying your writing without losing depth. We’ll also cover when complexity is useful, and finish with a challenge to sharpen your clarity.