CMIU 101: Assessment 1 COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS

Answer :

Introduction

Communication plays a major role in building healthy relationships between employer-employee, couples, family and even building a successful business. Misinterpretation of facts, cultural differences and misapprehensions resulted in big complex communication mishaps. Communication barrier is often related to personal psychological barrier. As a result, problems for people increase without them even knowing of it and the causes. This paper is about the major communication mishaps and the possible improvements with simple self counseling.

Common barriers to communication and possible solutions

No one listens: 

Nowadays it is pretty common that while listening people tend to look at their phones, or watch television. This behavior not only makes the other person feel isolated and invalidated, the listener also misses crucial non-verbal clues. As a result both the persons in the conversation feel disconnected with each other (Murphy. 2017). This can be avoided by making eye contact, questioning and remaining engaged.

Anticipating what one is saying: 

While talking to a friend or partner or subordinate in office, it is a common mistake to often assume what the other person is trying to say before they even finishes their sentences. By doing this what actually was to be said remains untold. Being curious while listening carefully makes the speaker feel more honored (Katz, Lazarsfeld & Roper, 2017).

Often speaker gets interrupted: 

Sometimes people get so much excited to say something or share their thoughts while listening to a person that they interrupt that person immediately and begin questioning them or make a statement resulting in other person feel invalidated (McClelland et al. 2017). Often this culture is followed in companies to prove the seniority of the managers. Respecting and allowing the person to speak makes the person feel more engaged and confident.

Blaming the other person: 

A person might feel attacked when the other person is blaming him or her for not doing something. Using “You” instead of “I” while blaming the person creates the problem. This places the relationship between both the persons in danger. Taking ownership of one’s own feelings reduces the chances of blaming the other person (Fearn-Banks, 2016).

Reacting emotionally: 

People often tend to react in a heated conversation with anger or disgrace. This results in a feeling of hatred or fear in the mind of the listener. A good communicator never allows emotions to rule a conversation with responding effectively. 

Difficult cross cultural communication:

When communicating with a person from a different culture, there is always a room for cross cultural difficulties in conversation as the other person may not understand what the speaker is trying to say resulting in misunderstanding which may lead to serious problems. Cultural differences should be kept in mind using appropriate body language while communicating so that language never becomes a barrier to discuss important things.

Thinking too much: 

While thinking after a conversation, there is a chance of misinterpreting the actual message. Due to modern digital age, communication through emails, texts and chats gives the receiver a chance to misinterpret unknowingly. To avoid this, one needs to pay full attention to messages with clarifying questions after listening carefully.

Indirect communication:

Without being direct and expressive in a communication, speaker expects that the listener would understand what the speaker wants to say. Confusion is the only result in this case. It is a golden rule that until and unless one asks for what he or she wishes to get, one will not get it. 

Difficult conversations should better be avoided:

There is always a possibility of a difficult conversation in every relationship. Sometimes people try to avoid or prolong such conversations as long as they can as they perceive that conversation might hurt the listener. This creates a lot of problems in the relationships and often encourages dishonesty. An effective communicator is open and honest to address issues as and when they appear.

Wrongly channeled message:

Wishing a warm Good Morning to someone over a text or chat is less effective than wishing that person face to face. Various channels of communication must be used so as to ensure the receiver understands the importance of the message (Cerretani, Iturrioz, & Garay, 2016). 

Poor feedback:

Lack of proper feedback results in one way communication. Feedback may be asking questions after a complicated instruction is given or sending a reply email to the sender. Both the sender and the receiver play a vital role in creating a two way communication. Feedback must be helpful rather than hurtful. Prompt feedback is always a better option than the so called right moment feedback.

Conclusion

It is the desired effect on the listener after a communication which creates an effective communication. Desired body language always responds positively to most of the communication gaps. Knowing the common barriers to communication is the first step to minimizing their impact. Self counseling is the solution to be an effective communicator as communication is a skill which can always be improved.