We continue to increase our dependence on and use of technology for communication to take advantage of the convenience and efficiency. If you only use these tools to deliver your message, you have a 93 percent chance of being misunderstood!

Research shows that words carry only 7 percent of a message's meaning. Tone accounts for 38 percent and body language, 55 percent. We all know how conveying tone and body language via text or email works. It doesn't. Technology makes communication faster and yet clean communication becomes increasingly more difficult. If you are the person delivering the message, you are responsible for making sure it was understood. That's right. It's up to you!

The Lesson: Do you communicate mostly through text or email? How do you ensure your meaning is understood? Today, try to incorporate more face-to-face or voice-to-voice communication into your interaction with your team. Verify the message was received by asking the person to relay the information back to you or explain next steps.