What separates a professional from a criminal?

According to a recent report:

94% of stakeholders say they communicate their requests clearly

69% of creative teams agree that stakeholders communicate clearly

Note: These words are poorly defined (like what is a "stakeholder" and what do you mean by "clearly") which is a common contributor to communication issues. But I will write about that another time.

Now, the accuracy of the data isn't really important here. But it points out something that is true regardless:

Communicating "clearly," or reaching clarity, is not the stakeholders' responsibility. It's the "creative team's/individual's

Otherwise, it would be like a doctor asking someone to make their own diagnosis and write their own prescriptions.

Patient: Hey doc, got a tummy ache. I'd like you cut out my appendix.

Doctor: I assume you know what you're talking about. I have no questions.

That's not just incompetence. That's criminal.

Now, communication in general, is everyone's responsibility. You, the "stakeholder," have to show up and be willing to answer the questions and have the conversations necessary to reach clarity.

But It's up to them, the creative agency/team/individual to ask those questions and have the necessary conversations in order to get clarity.

So, think about the folks you're paying to help your business.

Are you working with a professionals or a criminals?