You may also be confronted with fellow employees who have a different level of education or technical expertise. It is important to remember that not everyone shares your lingo. If someone gets a glazed look over their eyes while you spout off acronyms and catch phrases, chances are you need to slow down and expound on your subject matter. On the receiving end of communication, be sure to get all the information you need to be able to perform your duties, and be sure you understand exactly what needs are being expressed. A phenomenon I've noticed in my professional experience is being assigned a task with unclear goals, deadlines and expectations.
People express and perceive things differently.
Be sure you truly understand what is being asked of you. If you think you are still unclear on something, phrase your question or comment in different terminology. Then repeat back what you've been told to make sure your superior or counterpart agrees with you interpretation. Some of these suggestions may seem basic, but it is surprising how many errors are committed daily in the workplace due to a simple miscommunication.