Any time I have a work-related verbal discussion, I follow it up with an email that both explains what I took away from that discussion and describes any commitments made by anyone participating in the conversation.

I developed this habit decades ago, originally as a butt-covering exercise (having a written record of what I think was said can be very useful). However, the real value wasn't that at all -- instead, it was clarity. I can't even begin to count the number of times that a misunderstanding was discovered by doing this.

As a bonus, it helps me keep track of what I've promised to whom.