We all have our own personal filters based on our beliefs and experiences. Our personal filters affect the interpretation of what we hear.  A single word may have a different meaning to me as compared to you, which can significantly alter the intended message.  So you can imagine the difficulty in discussions and conversations between two people or a group.    Take the time to ensure that your message is completely understood or that you thoroughly understand a message being given to you.  Assumptions are communication pitfalls.  Effective communication is not easy and is often taken for granted.