By Devra Gartenstein Updated January 31, 2019
Poor workplace communication creates a negative feedback loop. When your workers don't understand what's expected of them, their morale declines and this makes it even more difficult to communicate. The solutions to poor workplace communication are rooted in creating a more open and constructive workplace culture, which will benefit your company in more ways than simply improving communication.
Tip
Conflicting work objectives and confusing chains of command are the most common causes of poor communication in the workplace.
Chain of Command and Conflicting Objectives
Poor workplace communication is especially likely to occur when the chain of command isn't clear, and when workers aren't entirely certain who is in charge of particular aspects of the operation. This tends to be an issue when there are multiple managers giving directions about the same tasks and projects. It can also be an issue when company objectives aren't entirely clear, so that different workers and managers are working toward outcomes that aren't in sync.
To address the sources of poor workplace communication resulting from conflicting objectives, hold regular meetings and focus on clearly defining the desired outcomes, so that all managers and workers are moving toward the same goals.
Low Engagement and Morale
When your staff aren't engaged, they are unlikely to put in the effort to communicate clearly. Their disenchantment with the company and the workplace may make them cranky and unwilling to make the effort to express their concerns clearly and constructively.
The solution to poor communication due to low morale isn't simple, but addressing it will benefit your company in ways that reach well beyond the issue of communication. Restoring employee morale may involve reevaluating your workplace culture and doing some collective soul searching about what it will take to create a work environment in which employees are invested enough to come to work with a good attitude, and engage with their coworkers without unnecessary negativity.
Cultural Differences
Diversity in the workplace is an asset to your company but it can lead to communication difficulties because of different cultural communication styles. For example, Americans associate the phrase "crossing your fingers" with good luck, while the Vietnamese associate it with obscenity.
There can even be cultural differences between workers who come from different regions of the United States. New Yorkers are known for being direct, while Southerners are famous for being polite. A simple exchange between these two communication styles can easily lead to bad feeling and poor communication.
To address this issue, it's best to identify and talk about the issue. Recognizing that cultural differences exist can go a long way toward understanding that an exchange that seemed insulting may not have been intended in a harmful way at all.
FAQs
What are the major causes of workplace conflict? Poor communication can be the result of a difference in communication styles. Failure to communicate may cause employees to make wrong assumptions and believe in gossip. Poor communication not only causes conflict; it also decreases productivity and employee morale.
How does poor communication cause conflict in the workplace? ›
What are the major causes of workplace conflict? Poor communication can be the result of a difference in communication styles. Failure to communicate may cause employees to make wrong assumptions and believe in gossip. Poor communication not only causes conflict; it also decreases productivity and employee morale.
What does poor communication in the workplace mean? ›
What is Poor Communication in the Workplace? Poor communication is a breakdown that results from a discrepancy or disconnect between what is said and what is understood. This lack of mutual understanding can happen at the interpersonal level between colleagues or at an organizational level.
What are the causes of poor communication? ›
What are the causes of poor communication in the workplace?
- Poor Leadership. ...
- Unclear Objectives. ...
- Limited Feedback. ...
- Demoralized Employees. ...
- Cultural Diversity in the Workplace. ...
- Unpredictable Work Environment. ...
- Less Effective Collaboration. ...
- Workplace Conflict.
For example, employees or leaders who refuse to speak directly to a co-worker are being passive-aggressive. Intentionally using email and memos to communicate exclusively without ever speaking face to face with someone in the office is a form of the problem.
How to solve poor communication in the workplace? ›
How to fix poor organizational communication in your workplace
- Establish baseline communication standards. ...
- Create a safe space for communication. ...
- Must be consistent and constant. ...
- Set clear norms and expectations. ...
- Proactively seek feedback. ...
- Leverage technology the right way. ...
- Master your meetings.
Ineffective communication can lead to many misunderstandings or disagreements, too. This can include making mistakes or completing tasks incorrectly, having your feelings hurt, causing arguments, or distancing yourself from others.
How does poor communication affect a team? ›
When managers are unclear in their communication, it can rob teams of their focus, diluting the overall quality of their output. It's important for managers to realize that clear, consistent communication isn't an option; it's imperative. Poor communication impedes both individual and collective progress.
What are the four causes of poor communication in an organization? ›
Negative comments or lack of participation in meetings, feedback discouraged by management, and no effort made to integrate multicultural employees can all lead to a poor work environment where communication disappears. Open and transparent communication will only flow in an environment where it is encouraged.
What are two examples of poor communication? ›
Photos courtesy of the individual members.
- Demonstrating A Lack Of Empathy. ...
- Responding Quickly To 'Sound Smart' ...
- Interrupting Others. ...
- Speaking Too Fast Without Pausing. ...
- Assuming Others Understand You. ...
- Giving Advice Without Listening. ...
- Using The Word 'Should' ...
- Sending Unintended Signals.
Barriers to communication can be overcome by:
- checking whether it is a good time and place to communicate with the person.
- being clear and using language that the person understands.
- communicating one thing at a time.
- respecting a person's desire to not communicate.
- checking that the person has understood you correctly.
Cultural Diversity and Background:
Cultural differences play a significant role in communication. Cultural norms, values, customs, and language nuances can all affect how a message is understood.
What are the most common causes of communication difficulties? ›
Known causes may include hearing loss, intellectual disabilities, emotional disturbance, a lack of environmental exposure to language, or brain injury.
What five factors can cause ineffective communication? ›
Common Barriers to Effective Communication
- Dissatisfaction or Disinterest With One's Job. ...
- Inability to Listen to Others. ...
- Lack of Transparency & Trust. ...
- Communication Styles (when they differ) ...
- Conflicts in the Workplace. ...
- Cultural Differences & Language.
#1 Language Barriers
Language is one of the main communication barriers, whether in the corporate environment or in personal relationships. This difficulty can be even more accentuated in companies that have employees in different countries or those that do business with other companies located abroad.
