Simplifying life to live more coherently and directly can be a challenge for those who have the habit of speaking in half-sentences, expecting others to understand the entire thought. In these cases, simplifying might not be the best solution; what we truly need is to simply “dot our i’s and cross our t’s.”
By leaving sentences incomplete and intentions implied — expecting others to guess what we are thinking — we create a series of complications in our routines and relationships. For true clarity, it is essential to be specific and transparent.
Those who know me know that I love to write, right? But what would it be like if we were living in 16th-century Europe, like most of our ancestors? At that time, due to the calligraphy styles used, letters were written very closely together with similar vertical strokes. When two “i’s” appeared together (very common in Latin), the strokes could easily be mistaken for a “u” or part of an “m” or “n,” leading to reading errors.
To avoid this confusion, copyists and scribes began placing a small stroke or dot over the “i” to differentiate it from other letters. Those who failed to do so left their texts ambiguous. Therefore, dotting those “i’s” became the necessary final touch to ensure the message was understood without error.
In Brazil, we still carry this history through the phrase “pôr os pingos nos is” (dotting the i’s) — a call for clarity and truth. However, here in the English-speaking world, we take this concept a step further with the expression: “to dot the i’s and cross the t’s.”
This is where the “flip” between our cultures happens. While the Portuguese version focuses on the singular act of distinguishing one letter to find clarity, the American expression adds the cross of the “t” — symbolizing a second layer of precision. It suggests that it isn’t enough just to be clear; we must be thorough. It’s the difference between simply identifying a point and meticulously ensuring the entire message is foolproof. It is about the discipline of being undeniably clear.
Communication is undoubtedly one of the primary focuses in both leadership and any type of relationship. Seeking solutions to improve and refine communication — whether in the workplace, at home, or in society — requires great attention and care.
If a message can still be misinterpreted when we express ourselves face-to-face, imagine when it is written. The reader will often project a tone of voice based on their own feelings at that moment, which can lead to significant conflict.
Think about it: when was the last time someone sent you a message regarding a delicate matter? What did you feel as you read it? Now, try to remember the last time you sent a sensitive message about a potential conflict to a family member, a close friend, or a colleague.
Interpersonal communication is the process of exchanging information, ideas, and feelings between two or more people. Although it seems natural, it is one of the most complex human skills, as it involves not only what is said, but how it is said and how it is received.
Given the sensitivity and importance of this topic for our relationships, let’s take a moment to reflect. In our next meeting, we will continue to discuss how this clarity transforms our journey. In the meantime, I ask you: in which area of your life — or in which pending conversation — do you feel it is finally time to dot the i’s and cross the t’s?
