Extra Communication is Always Better than No Communication
Engineering is a profession that seldom lists communication as a basic requirement in the job description, unlike business functions or PM roles. There seems to be a stereotype that engineers don't need to communicate much, which I believe is a completely wrong perception.
Indeed, the main task of engineers is to build the product, but what distinguishes an excellent engineer from an average one is whether they can communicate effectively and importantly at critical moments. For example, when faced with unexpected situations, do you promptly inform those who need to know so they can prepare, or do you silently solve the issue, hoping it won't cause problems? When you disagree with someone, do you spend time understanding their perspective and difficulties while also explaining your own, or do you consider it a waste of time and simply accept their opinion without saying anything? When you feel uncomfortable about something someone said, do you choose to bravely express your true feelings and resolve the discomfort, or do you feel aggrieved but keep silent, only resenting them internally?
In all the above situations, I believe that excessive communication is always better than no communication. Humans are not like the aliens in science fiction who can understand each other 100% directly. Communication is the only way people can understand each other's thoughts. When communication is absent, you are left to guess the other person's intentions or motives with your own imagination, and such guesses are often wrong because you are not them, and you can never completely imagine things from someone else's perspective. Many difficulties that you imagine on your own turn out to be much simpler after ample and sincere communication; your assumptions only add unnecessary complexity to the situation.
Does this remind you of that last misunderstanding with a colleague? Go have a good talk with them! Communication is the only rule to solve these unpleasant issues.
