Proper communication is an issue in many developing countries, and a malady in many developed ones. And it is not something that is strongly caused or correlated to education, literacy or technology at all. In fact, two highly educated people from two different cultures or backgrounds ( or same ones) can have the illusion of agreement and communication when in fact, they may be grossly misunderstanding each other using the same terminology of which they have different interpretations. Are we visualizing the same thing when we say dog? Are you thinking of a doberman, while I am thinking of a chihuahua?

As I laughingly say, if after 12 years, my wife and I still misunderstand each other on very simple and straightforward circumstance, what hope is there that two people can reach complete understanding and agreement after a few meetings?

The possibility of miscommunication looms as a big issue when as a manager, a leader, or as a conduit in business, you have to communicate and secure understanding in order for your team, your group, or your company to row on the same direction. As one manager of a China hotel recently expressed, how would you fare as a manager if your staff can only understand half of your intent, and use their judgment or discretion in interpreting the other half? If you truly listen to a board meeting, and look later at the minutes of the meeting, do you agree what has been noted, especially in areas of the action plan? Then how good is the group in implementing and moving forward on it?

In statistical terms, he said it very well when he said, “I communicate with people 100%. They understand only 60% but do not ask. Of the 60% that they understand, they will ignore some of the things, and they will do only 30%. This is even made worse if there is another person or the middle manager in between. I communicate 100%, they understand 60%, then they communicate to their people 30%, the people understand 15%, and do only 10%. At more than 3 levels it will become almost impossible except when that same message is written in black, constantly communicated and reiterated.”

The fact of the matter is that we have different backgrounds,and frankly many of us are not very good in listening. We understand using our biases or using our previous stock knowledge instead of truly listening and putting ourselves in the other person’s shoes or circumstance.

This will continue to be a challenge, and it is very difficult to say that this will improve. This has very little to do with technology, and really more in ourselves. If we feel we are being misunderstood, it is safe enough to say that we are misunderstanding others to a big degree as well. The important thing is to realize that it happens, and you have to make allowances for this. With better channels of communication, and richer language, the adage of ” one word is good enough for a wise man” is sounding quite a hollow promise.