Why “This Is a Priority” Can Quietly Derail Your Workday Without You Realizing It

Have you ever come across your manager saying, “This is a priority?” While this phrase may seem straightforward and simple, it has a hidden level of complexity.

One of the more interesting pieces of research, highlighted by Psychology Today, was that unclear communication or vagueness in the work environment has a tendency to cause a number of problems, particularly when expectations are not clearly defined from the beginning.


There is a certain level of additional time that might be spent by the employee to try to clarify the situation, which would ultimately cause a level of additional stress on an already busy work schedule.

Why Managers Skip Context

There are several reasons why managers may identify certain tasks as priorities without giving further details. One of the primary reasons why managers may do this could be that giving power alone will be sufficient to ensure that tasks are completed.

Managers may also believe that giving further details will only confuse the urgency of the task and will make communication unnecessarily long.

As mentioned by Psychology Today, one of the primary reasons why managers may give minimal details is that they are managing several tasks at once. They may also be cognitively overloaded and thus unable to provide the level of detail that workers need to ensure that tasks are completed effectively. In other cases, it could be indecision.

The psychological effects of this form of communication are considerable, as employees dealing with ambiguous communication consistently are more likely to be anxious about their performance. This anxiety may lead to decreased performance over time. And honestly, why would one want it to happen?

Effects on Engagement and Trust

A lack of clarity in communication may also have an effect on how employees feel about their workplace, as it may indicate that their time and understanding are not being valued.

When employees are not provided with adequate information, they may become uninterested and may not be motivated to offer their ideas.

In addition, according to Psychology Today, unclear communication may lead to a lack of trust between employees and management, as employees may feel that decisions are not being made transparently.

From the Psychology Today article, organizational communication issues may also mean a higher turnover rate for employees within such organizations, as people seek environments where there is clarity of expectations and transparency from the organization’s management.

The Communication Gap That Matters

The simple phrase “this is a priority” may have a ripple effect of confusion and frustration for both employees and companies. According to research, it is not a choice but a necessity for employees to have clarity of communication for productivity and trust in the workplace.

As Psychology Today emphasizes, there is a need for leaders to have awareness of the significance of context for effective communication with employees.

When employees are aware of what needs to be done and why it needs to be done, they are able to function well for the organization. Nobody would want to stay confused regarding their work. Everyone deserves clear instructions and deadlines in order to boost their productivity and stick to the team’s objectives.

What are your thoughts?