8 ways to avoid misunderstandings, communicate better, and get more done at work

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Anyone who’s had a project go awry knows that misunderstandings between co-workers can cost a company as much time, money, and energy as unnecessary meetings or poorly run processes. But getting aligned with people gets even harder as digital communication tools increasingly become the most common way to interact at work.

Considering how much of every day we spend typing—whether it’s blog posts, tweets, messages to big public channels, or in private conversations—it’s more important than ever that we’re able to communicate clearly in writing.

But getting the words right every time? That’s hard. Making sure that people understand your intention and your tone? Also hard! To prevent this productivity quicksand from dragging you and your team down, here are some tips for bringing greater clarity and context to your digital communications at work.

1. Meet people where they are. 

Before firing off your thoughts, take a moment to consider your reader. If you’re writing to someone who is typically pressed for time, keep your statements short and snappy. If you’re talking to someone who has less experience, you might want to approach the conversation as a mentor and provide a little more context or offer some words of encouragement. Knowing your reader and tailoring your message ensures your point isn’t just heard, but well received.

2. Be your own editor. 

If you’re writing a slightly longer missive, like a brief, a report, or a note that requires more explanation, don’t just write everything that comes into your head expecting your reader to dig out your point. Read what you’ve typed a few times over (and wonder out loud if you can’t get your message down by 40%, or better yet, 70%) before pressing “send.”