What do you find are common roadblocks to effective communication at work?
I believe we can all agree that communication is the key to any successful endeavor where more than one person is involved.
That being said, we tend to be poor communicators (hence the popular psychological terms that use dysfunction). This may be a combination of environmental, family, educational or technological (especially in the millennial generation).
What is your take on the common roadblock?
Good topic, Wayne.
To me, the word "communication" implies getting a message across. In my experience and the more I read about it, I'm convinced that the real problem is listening. One can be clear or forceful or creative or well-reasoned or exhibit great speaking skills and if no one is listening, it won't matter.
I don't exempt myself from blame, just because I recognize it as a roadblock to communication. It's a little like saying that people buy for emotional reasons and justify for logical ones. Having said that, I am no less likely to buy for emotional reasons and justify for logical ones.
I think you and I kicked this around a little before here:
https://www.proformative.com/questions/
Best... David
Let me kick in some thoughts. Communication gets EASIER if both parties are on the same page. Culture or sense of purpose (in a work environment) are two ways you can get both parties on the same page.
Have you ever had those moments with say a significant other where there were even no words uttered? Just looks? Same in the work environment. Once culture and sense of purpose are established (and everyone agrees or buys in), then communication gets easier.
To answer the question/roadblock....LACK OF DEFINED OR UNIFYING CULTURE OR SENSE OF PURPOSE
Yes, we have shared thoughts around this topic. I agree 1000% that effective listening is key and most people have no clue how to do it or why it is important. Listening is done face to face and via written communication (The Art of Listening to an E-mail, https://www.proformative.com/blogs/ernie-humphrey/2014/08/21/art-listening-e-mail ).
Communication is also inhibited by people who waste colleague's time in meetings ( Meetings Can Lower IQs: Mitigate the
Let's circle back to part of the question.
The millennial generation.
What "special" issues do you see. Is it educational, culture or something else.
We all have tales of two or millennials sitting around the table texting to each other and not talking.
Have we gone from a binary base (computers) to base 140?
Excellent discussion everyone - thank you. I'll echo the sentiments I think I'm listening to :) As has been said better than I can, "Seek first to understand..." Some underlying principles span the generations, true?
