Source of my problems: design issues 5% architecture constraints 5% language shortcomings 1% mental blocks 5% personal time management 4% personal energy 5% communication with others 75% I waste more time just trying to figure out what others are trying to say, sometimes in person and by voice, but mostly in writing. For most emails, I have to click "reply" or call back simply because what you're trying to tell me is…
For me, grammar is the farthest thing from the real issue. What I find makes it difficult to communicate are situations when the writer/speaker is producing without the understanding that the reader has no fucking clue (or limited understanding of) what they are discussing.
Inevitably what I read or hear in terms of "specs" or "user stories" has an entirely different meaning to the writer/speaker than to the reader. The writer/speaker generally has at least some domain knowledge and often assumes such knowledge that should not be expected of the reader/listener.
Sort of ironic but pretending your someone else "really well" could qualify you as both perhaps insane (under some definitions) and as a really good writer/speaker. The critical point for me is the age old adage "know your audience".