Ever feel like your message didn’t quite land… or worse, was ignored?
You explained what you needed. Maybe even how to do it. But “why it mattered” got buried in the copy or lost in translation.
That’s a problem, especially today where inboxes overflow, distractions are high, and attention spans have been trained by social media. People no longer read; they scan. With video, you need to hook your audience in the first couple seconds.
If you want your message to cut through the clutter, it needs more than clarity. It needs context.
And sometimes, the best way to provide that context is with two surprisingly powerful words: so that.
Why “So That” Works
Simon Sinek challenged us to Start with Why, to dig beneath what we do and connect with the deeper purpose behind it. This principle is foundational for great leadership and communication.
Chad Littlefield builds on this idea in a way that’s incredibly practical. In this short video, he drives his point home with humor. He explains how simply adding “so that” to your sentence can spark clarity, alignment, and meaning in seconds.
The phrase works because it prompts you to articulate what’s in your head and finish your thought. To connect the action with its impact or consequences.
“So that” turns a direction into a destination.
A Few Simple Examples
Let’s see it in action:
Without “so that”
“Please send me your feedback on the proposal.”
With “so that”
“Please send me your feedback on the proposal by close of business today so that I can fine-tune it before it goes to our partner tomorrow.”
The first version is vague and can be easily set aside or ignored. I can almost hear the reader say, “I’ll get to this later. If it’s important, I’m sure they’ll follow up.”
The second version tells the reader what you need and why it matters. Now they know you’re not just fishing for thoughts or looking for a rubber stamp. You’re preparing for something important that’s time sensitive. By including the timing, you provide the necessary information to help your reader prioritize your request.
Without “so that”
“We’re rolling out a new tool for team collaboration.”
With “so that”
“We’re rolling out a new tool for team collaboration so that we can reduce email overload and make decisions faster.”
Better, right?
Even for your own introduction:
“I’m a comms pro that helps others connect with purpose and communicate clearly.”
vs.
“I’m a comms pro that helps others connect with purpose and communicate clearly so that their work creates lasting impact.”
Adding “so that” gives your message meaning. It shifts the focus from what you do to why it matters.
When to Use It
“So that” works especially well when you’re:
- Writing emails that ask for action.
- Explaining a decision or a change.
- Introducing yourself or your work.
- Seeking support for an idea from your team.
- Working to influence others who don’t report to you.
It works because it connects information to intention.
And it invites your audience, whether it’s one person or a whole team, to care.
Practice Makes Purposeful
Here are three quick ways to use this today:
- Rethink your next ask. Before you hit send, ask yourself: So that… what?
- Refine your intro. Add a line that speaks to why your work (or request) matters.
- Use it to coach others. If you lead a team, encourage them to incorporate “so that” in their emails, updates and presentations.
It’s a tiny shift with lasting impact.
Parting Thoughts
We all want to be heard, understood, supported, and remembered. But that only happens when people know why our message matters. If you don’t communicate the reason, people make up their own story… or worse, simply swipe and move on.
“So that” is much more than a phrase. It’s a pivot point that serves as a bridge from transaction to transformation.
When you start to incorporate “so that” in your communication consistently, you’ll quickly notice the difference in how people respond, engage, and follow through.
These two little words lead into why you’re communicating in the first place and contribute to increased clarity.
You know what you want to convey. That’s usually the easy part! By investing a little more time and including “so that” right after your “what,” you give your audience a reason to continue reading. You answer their first question, which is “so what?”
“So that” shines a warm light on why it (whatever it is) matters.
Yes, and. To increase your impact with any communication, ensure whatever follows “so that” matters to your audience.
By answering the “what?” and the “so what?” you prepare your audience for “now what?” And that, my friend, is where the action is.
Lead with Light!
Feeling generous? Share this post…
Discover more from alviller.com
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.