Although communication seems relatively straightforward, it is rarely so. When my wife asks me to do something and I agree, we often have very different perceptions of what that actually means. For her, it means I will get up and do it now. For me, it means I will get to it eventually.

Our words are only part of communication—and even those words can be interpreted differently by different people. Only a small percentage of communication is transmitted through the words we use. The majority is conveyed through tone, body language, and context.

If you are only listening with your ears—which most of us don’t do particularly well—you are missing a substantial portion of the message.

My father was a basketball coach, and he always told me that it was my responsibility as a point guard to ensure that my passes were caught. The same principle applies to communication. As the sender, it is my responsibility to ensure that the receiver not only gets the message, but understands it as I intended.

Digital technology has changed the landscape. Communication is faster and more accessible than ever—we can send a text or an email at a moment’s notice. But in many ways, real communication has suffered.

Messages sent through text or email are often misinterpreted. Yet we move forward with the illusion that there is mutual understanding. In reality, we are often operating from completely different perspectives.

Great communicators recognize this gap—and work to close it.

So today, consider the way you communicate.
Where are you relying on convenience over clarity?
What can you do differently to ensure your message is received as intended—and that you are truly understanding others?