As our lives at work have become busier, faster-paced, and to some extent disconnected, the opportunity for miscommunication and misunderstanding has increased.
When we aren’t on the same page as our co-workers, the negative impact can have far-reaching consequences. Morale and productivity can decrease as employees focus on the wrong areas and even become disengaged. The result is that you and your team can miss the mark and fall short of your mission and goals. However, if we lean into what people are really saying and consider the how and what of our communication, we can overcome the challenges and ensure an open and trusting workplace.
Let’s take a look at some common themes that appear in workplace miscommunication:
Others are getting credit for the work that I did.
Employees feel underappreciated and lack the feedback necessary for self-evaluation and reflection. They may feel that their work goes unnoticed while others receive praise for similar input and results.
As the receiver of the message, consider if they've been overlooked or if there's an actual issue with their performance. Either way, it's necessary to be in a continuous conversation with your co-workers to create effective feedback loops.
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I put in much more work than what I am paid for.
This is the quintessential phrase used in place of “I feel overworked and underpaid.”
When you hear this, it's a classic red flag signaling employee burnout and dissatisfaction. This is a good time to consider if the employee has recently taken on more responsibilities or a larger workload, or perhaps it’s time to re-evaluate their role and compensation. On a larger scale, is your organization rewarding and promoting those that overwork? Be sure that your culture isn’t detrimental to your employees and the overall organization.
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Why are we even doing any of this? What is the meaning of our work?
There's a lack of direction and clear vision of what we're ultimately accomplishing. Employees may not have a sense of what the organization’s reason for being is or how their role fits into the bigger picture.
Every organization exists for a reason, but sometimes employees have a hard time connecting their every day to the bigger picture. Leaders need to clearly communicate each and every employee’s value to the mission at hand. Are the organization’s reason for being and Core Values top of mind? Is everyone aware of how their contributions play into the company’s success? If not, it is easy to feel like a cog in the wheel and to become disengaged. We like to say, “Live, don’t laminate!” What good are the company’s vision and values if they just live on a poster? They need to be lived out and visible in every corner of the organization.
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It's easier to do this myself.
I am afraid that this project will fail, and I will look like a failure.
This theme is extremely common with newer or up-and-coming leaders. The art of delegation is difficult to master, and many people underestimate the value of assistance in achieving complex goals. To help avoid the situation, it is important to model delegation and emphasize the importance of allowing everyone the opportunity to use their strengths and focus on the areas that will yield the best results for the entire team. In addition, this is another example of ensuring a climate of psychological safety. Delegate – and if mistakes are made, then everyone learns and grows!
Effective communication is not an elusive mirage; it just takes conscious effort and attention to a few key areas of communication.
When receiving unclear or coded communication from others, it is important to remember that, for the most part, the intention is good – it is the message that gets misconstrued. Be cautious when responding, and be sure you take all information into consideration and ask questions to get to the true heart of the issue. Create a safe environment for real conversation and communication and coach those you lead to become effective communicators.
Your own communication needs to be clear, honest, and respectful. Consider the following when communicating to those you work with:
When communicating in the workplace, be aware that words matter and that the way in which they are delivered makes an impact. As we deliver and receive communication, be aware of the miscommunication themes and the ways in which they can be avoided. Clear and honest communication is a pillar of a strong organization and a catalyst for growth and success!