Why do people keep misunderstanding me at work?

Being misunderstood over and over is frustrating, especially when you know what you meant. The gap is rarely about how smart you are. It is usually that the picture is clear in your head, so you skip the steps that would make it clear to someone else. They only hear the words you actually say, not the thought behind them. Aim for simple over complete. Before you speak or send a message, ask what the one main point is, and lead with it. Fewer words, plainer words. Then check: ask the other person what they took from it. That one question catches most misunderstandings before they grow. This is a skill, not a fixed trait, and it improves with small tries. Pick your next important message and cut it to its clearest, shortest form before you send it. Then ask the person to tell you back what they heard. Do that a few times and you will see the gap start to close.