How miscommunication happens (and how to avoid it) - Katherine Hampsten

Miscommunication is a universal human experience that can lead to confusion and significant conflict. While it seems straightforward to speak the same language in the same room, actual human interaction is highly complex.

The 'transmission model' views communication as a simple transfer of information, while the 'transactional model' more accurately describes it as an active, game-like exchange where meaning is created together through feedback.

Communication is shaped by subjective lenses, including cultural background, past experiences, and emotions. Like a lump of clay passed between people, messages are constantly reshaped by individual perceptions, often leading to distortion.

To communicate more effectively, one should practice active listening, pay attention to non-verbal cues, ensure the process is a two-way dialogue, and remain aware of one's own perceptual filters to invite understanding of other perspectives.