When we communicate with others, it is very easy to assume that they understand what we are saying, exactly as we mean it, but the truth is that there is almost always a tremendous disparity between our intent and the message received.
Even though every word in every language has a specific and, typically, unchanging definition, we all have different understandings and interpretations of those definitions and as soon as another person is involved, confusion immediately begins to manifest. Strangely, though, we often ignore this truth in favor of the ease of assumption.
Interestingly, I have found that no amount of explaining what I mean to people seems to ever come close to bridging the understanding gap. For me, this is very defeating because in all my communications, I strive to be abundantly clear. My audiences, however, all have different strengths and weaknesses regarding communication and understanding and in nearly every case, I can find some point in my message where, after the fact, I can see that I missed the mark.
For a long time, I put more and more effort into being understood, but eventually I realized that I get essentially the same level of understanding from a long, well worded explanation as I do from a brief, cursory description. Another thing I learned is that I cannot hold against my misunderstanding audience their inability to visualize my intent. It is, equally, both our failings.
So, be patient with those with whom you converse. They are just waiting for you to finally get to the point.
-HomieCidal Brainiac
Leave a Reply