269. I Assumed You Remembered

What important message have you stopped repeating because you assumed people already knew it?

In episode 269 of At The Table, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson make the case that people need reminders more than they need brand-new information. They explain why leaders often undercommunicate the most important things: they are afraid of sounding repetitive, annoying, or insulting. Through examples from work, church, family, and everyday life, they challenge listeners to stop assuming people remember and start repeating what matters.

Topics explored in this episode:

(00:00) Why Reminders Matter

• Pat introduces the idea that people often fail to say important things because they assume others already know or remember them.
• Cody connects the topic to the broader need for reminders in work, leadership, strategy, church, and family life.

(03:19) Returning To The Basics

• Pat explains that much of his work with leaders involves reminding them of simple truths they already knew but stopped applying.
• Cody points out that teams often chase new, sophisticated ideas rather than revisiting the foundational principles that provide clarity.

(07:57) Leaders As Chief Reminding Officers

• Pat describes the CEO, parent, priest, and manager as “chief reminding officers” whose job is to transfer understanding, not entertain themselves.
• Cody shares how repeated stories and clarity questions help a team internalize values until they become part of decision-making.

(12:09) Repetition At Home And Work

• Cody reflects on how repeated family traditions and repeated words of love create lasting memories and emotional certainty.
• Pat explains that appreciation, love, and organizational clarity should be repeated even when people seem to already know them.

This episode of At The Table with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: https://www.tablegroup.com. We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable.

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