Lack of communication in the workplace can occur on a large scale, such as between management and employees, individual employees and between employees and clients as well. Poor communication in the workplace can lead to poor relations between employees and create an unfriendly work atmosphere in general that renders employees inefficient and ineffective. This leads employees to reciprocate their feelings to the customers. Rather than dealing with the effects of poor communication in the organization, it is better to know the causes and deal with it. Many things can cause poor communication in the workplace. From personal conflict to low morale to lack of motivation poor communication will ensue.
1. Unclear Goals & Objectives
One of the most critical mistakes organizations make is not clearly defining their goals at the outset, in terms of their business model and product development goals. Well-defined goals provide a destination that team members can get behind and help to overcome obstacles and roadblocks that are encountered along the way. Organizations must clearly identify their goals at the outset because those who join your team are motivated by your vision, and your goal is the description of your ultimate destination.
2. Lack of information for the proper accomplishment of the tasks
In today’s information overload society, employees often lack the information they need to do their jobs. They may have the data that they require from external suppliers, however, it is the information that their supervisors and co-workers have, but have not properly shared, that remains unsaid. Frequently, this poor communication is a result of the fact that the people with the information are still processing it themselves, and haven’t distanced themselves enough from the problem to discover that there are other people around them who will also be requiring that information.
3. Poor Leadership
When leaders effectively communicate, they not only are prepared – but are mindful of their audiences’ needs to move critical issues and agendas forward. Poor leaders don’t value communication with their employees they might spend long periods of time away from his desk or office or might ignore staff emails and telephone messages. Listening to others is a low priority and a poor communicator might interrupt while an employee is talking and cut the conversation short. Poor communicators might also fail to pass along new information about company policies or procedures that will affect the way staff members perform their jobs.
4. Personal Issues
Every workplace has employees who have things going on outside of work. A tough time at home, financial problems etc. They refuse to admit they might be part of the problem. Though you encourage employees not to let personal matters interfere with their work. A distracted employee is irritable and may wrongfully communicate disrespect and lack of interest in the job. Give distracted employees some time off, where necessary and possible, to allow them to deal with a personal matter.
5. Cultural Diversities
Cultural problems can range from miscommunication to actual conflict, all endangering effective employees productivity and performance. Different cultures have their own way of interpreting things, especially with nonverbal language. Organizational diversity should inspire teamwork on a global scale with each employee performing at their best. However, ineffective or lack of communication as a result of diversity in the workplace can lead to confusion of business and customer needs, low employee morale and division among employees.
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