Communication gaps

It is helpful to know the difference between 'understand' and 'agree'.

If you and the other person don't understand each other, make assumptions and proceed down a path of defending ideas, communication gaps are inevitable. A sure symptom of a lack of understanding is dissonance within yourself or the other person. Something does not 'feel right'. Telling someone they 'don't understand' seems to create more communication gaps. Skillful conversations and emotions management is needed. The process to reach a common understanding is non-linear and situation based, so if you have trouble with the 'process', start there.

Once a common understanding is reached, turn your attention to 'agreement'. This is usually easier to obtain. At the very least people can 'agree to disagree'. This works provided the areas of disagreement are clearly spelled out. If there are genuine reasons for disagreement, work on the 'reasons', then get back to the 'agreement'.

With increase in complexity, diversity and requirements for tolerance, communication gaps may be getting harder and harder to resolve. Knowing that complexity, diversity and requirements for tolerance will only keep increasing, what is your plan to bridge communication gaps?