Every Problem is a Communication Problem
I've come to find that most if not all problems come down to some form of a communication problem. I've starting to believe this more and more as I keep this idea in mind when a problem arises.
Consider the sheer number of ways the English language has to describe communication problems:
- Lack of communication
- Too much communication
- Unclear communication
- Unreceived communication
- Incomplete communication
- Overly detailed communication
- Overly complicated communication
- Poor listening
- Distracted listening
- Disinterested listening
- Miscommunication
- Mistranslation
- Societal differences
- Cultural differences
- Assumptions made
- Poorly timed communication
- Non-communication
- Misunderstood communication
- Hastily read communication
- Unclarified communication
- Unrecorded communication
- Undelivered communication
- Misheard communication
- Misremembered communication
- Unrequited communication
- Indirect communication
- Too direct communication
- You said it in your head and not to the other party
- You said it to someone else, not the party that needed it
- You said it in the wrong tone of voice
- You didn't say anything at all
- You said too much
- Etc.
I'm sure you could think of at least several more examples that I missed. Look at how many ways any given amount of communication can be delivered or recieved in error. It seems like a simple thing, to communicate. I've experience people not taking it seriously enough, not taking responsibility for their shortcomings in communication. I certainly am guilty of at a few if not all of these examples.
The old adage "think before you speak" brought forth in a new context.
I think adages like this get over used and don't hold as much meaning over time. But, there are often very good reasons for the things that get passed down in a society. We just begin to forget the origin and the importance.
I suggest being more intentional with how you communicate. Consider a problem that arises in the context of what communication failures could have brought you to this point, what could have prevented this?
Communication is a the core of what UX and Design are. In my work and my process I try to keep this idea in mind. One more tool in the toolbox to approach a problem with.