Remember that old joke from the First World War.  “Send reinforcements, we’re going to advance” decides the General.  By the time it reaches its destination, passed through many levels of bad wireless connections it becomes “Send 34 cents, we’re going to a dance”.  But with today’s technology surely things are different today?  Really?

It’s a common challenge in organisations: decisions are made at the executive level with confidence that the message is clear, but somehow it never quite reaches the front lines.

Why does this happen?

• Assumptions about clarity: Leaders believe they’ve communicated enough, but what feels clear in the boardroom may be lost in translation down the chain.
• Breaks in the chain: Each layer of management filters, rephrases, or even unintentionally dilutes the message.
• Lack of alignment: Without a shared understanding of the "why" behind decisions, key details can get lost or deprioritised.
• Competing priorities: The front line is often juggling immediate operational demands, making it harder for messages from above to take root.

This breakdown isn’t just frustrating, it impacts morale, execution, and trust across the organisation.

The solution? Intentional communication strategies that connect all levels of the pyramid:

• Leaders need to overcommunicate and simplify, ensuring the “what” and “why” are easy to understand.
• Middle managers must become active translators, bridging strategy with day-to-day execution.
• Organisations should create feedback loops, so front-line teams feel heard and connected to the broader mission.

Cascading communication is a two-way street. When done well, it ensures everyone—top to bottom—is pulling in the same direction.