There are a few things in life I can always count on: the sun will rise in the east, the office coffee pot will be empty when I need a cup, and my Minnesota Vikings will continue their never-ending quest for a Super Bowl win. Some things are just predictable. But what remains frustratingly unpredictable is the way we communicate — or rather, how often we fail to communicate effectively, despite the countless ways available to us.

In today’s world, we have more ways to connect than ever before: email, instant messaging, phone calls, in-person meetings, and even a few I’m still trying to figure out (apparently, “sliding” into someone’s DMs is a thing?). With all these options, you’d think communication would be seamless. Yet, more often than not, it seems to be the biggest challenge we face in both personal and professional settings.

As a software trainer at CIM-TECH, I work with companies striving to improve their CAD/CAM programming through our Router-CIM Automation Suite. The goal is always the same: to move from concept to code as efficiently as possible. However, there’s a key factor that can make or break this process — clear and open communication.
We can only solve problems when we know they exist. And while I’d love to claim I know everything, I’ve been proven wrong plenty of times. The only way I learn? Someone takes the time to communicate with me. Yet, even with the best intentions, we often find ways to avoid real communication.

Take email, for example. In an age of instant gratification, it’s easy to assume that sending an email means an immediate response. But let’s be honest—emails have a way of disappearing into the abyss. I’ve personally returned to my inbox after a few days away only to be met with 1,000 unread emails. Did I read them all? No. Did I do a mass delete and assume that if it was truly important, the sender would follow up? Absolutely.

I’m not alone in this. Communication breakdowns happen everywhere, and they often lead to unnecessary bottlenecks. In my training sessions, I frequently ask a question about a company’s workflow, only to be told, “That’s handled by another department.” When I ask who I should reach out to, the response is often, “I don’t know.” At that point, it’s not just a failure to communicate — it’s a failure to even know how to communicate.

So how do we fix this? There’s no magic answer, but small steps can make a big difference. If you receive an email you don’t have an answer for, acknowledge it. A simple “I’ll check on this and get back to you” goes a long way in ensuring the sender feels heard. Companies can also benefit from clearer communication channels—making sure employees know who to reach out to, instead of sending them on a wild goose chase for answers.

At the end of the day, whether in business or in life, communication is key. Call, email, message — whatever it takes. Just don’t let important conversations slip through the cracks. And if all else fails, maybe I’ll take my own advice and start sending messages via slide. I hear it’s a thing.

Now, where’s the nearest playground?