I was fortunate to get to collaborate with Dr. Katherine A. Meese, Ph.D on a book that shares research on why trust is front and center in today’s workplace. (If you’re interested it’s called The Human Margin: Building the Foundations of Trust.) One of its main points is that the better leaders are at communication, the more employees will trust them.

Over the years I’ve learned that even when we think we’ve communicated a message, employees may not have understood it.

Here are three ways to improve your odds of being heard:

Use simple, clear language. Don’t overcomplicate your message. Simple words and short sentences are easier for people to process.

Start with the main takeaway you want to convey. Don’t lead with the details. The less people are forced to dig through your words for the meaning, the more likely they will comprehend.

Aim for consistent messaging. When sharing information that’s meant to be cascaded, standardize the talking points. When different groups hear different messages, trust is eroded. Timing matters, too. When leaders can cascade the information to their teams at the same time people are less likely to hear it from another employee first.

Good communication doesn’t always come naturally. It’s a skill that needs to be developed in leaders. Investing in this skill pays off—it’s one of the best ways to create a culture of truest.