Table 1: Ineffective Interpersonal Communication: 12 Possible Causes, Consequences,

Cures, and Examples for Effective Communication (Source: Author

Possible Causes Possible Possible Examples of

Consequences or Cures/Strategies Possible Wording
Interpretations for Effective
Communication
1. Social/Familial/ Frustration Talk openly about the I am not really
Organizational/Cultural Helplessness cultural taboos and comfortable
Taboos regarding No Lack of Trust how they may have bringing this up,
Substantive Issues contributed to a
Talk Issues. but I feel we need
are ignored climate wherein
to address it.
people are reluctant
to share or tackle
difficult issues. I am concerned
about a patient
safety issue that I
want to bring to
the attention of the
team.

There is an issue
that is bothering
me, and I feel we
need to discuss it.
2. Poor Conflict Inappropriate and Learn how to I can see that you
Management Skills misdirected anger respectfully disagree. are upset. I would
Finger pointing Become comfortable like to discuss this
Blaming with affect (yours and calmly and
others).
rationally.
Remain calm and
professional in all
situations. Perhaps we can
negotiate a
compromise,
middle ground?

It looks like we
may not agree on
this, so lets table it
for now and discuss
again.
3. Poor Knee jerk responses Learn skills for If you could do
Negotiation/Problem- Temporary or short- collaboration. what you enjoy
Solving Skills term fixes Become comfortable most, what would
(sometimes referred with unfinished (long that be?
to as Band-Aids) term) solutions.
Focus is on putting Discover your
out fires rather strengths and those
than vision of others.
Assign or negotiate
tasks/workgroups/pro
jects based on
individual strengths
and interests, versus
a we just need a
warm body to
complete this
approach.
4. Lack of Poor team Widen your It is very important
Empathy/Understanding work/spirit perceptions and to make eye
of Others Lack of cooperation awareness of those contact and give
Wasted time and around you and the
undivided attention
resources environment.
while the other
Endeavor to be a
team player. Large person is talking.
organizations,
hospital units, work Do not take your
groups and families phone to meetings
run best with a unless you are
cooperative spirit
expecting an
among individuals.
urgent call.
Conversations and
regularly scheduled
FACE to FACE Acknowledge the
meetings are a must other persons
for development of feelings.
rapport, negotiating
and problem solving.
If your group prefers I can see how
email for all tough this must be
communication, ask for you.
for a scheduled face
to face, prepare an
Based on looking
agenda and send it
around this room
out in advance.
at all your faces, I
can see the angst
you are all feeling
about this (patient,
situation, issue).

I know it has been

hard on you to
worry about
scheduling issues
all the time.
5. Unresolved Distorted Resolve your issues I think there has
Emotional Issues (e.g., perceptions of the and do not focus on been a
history of physical or world other peoples issues; misunderstanding
emotional abuse) Misinterpretation of to do so takes time
here, I would like
the motives and from looking at your
own issues. to
messages of others
discuss/clarify/clear
Distorted responses Seek to clarify and
to communication of resolve the issue, if this up.
others you feel the other
person misinterpreted I apologize if I
what you said or was not clear; let
meant and as a result
me explain what I
there is conflict or bad
feelings. meant.
Always own your own
words and actions.
6. Poor Self- Perceived attacks As above, in number I am feeling like
Image/Self-Esteem Perceived threats 5. there is quite a bit
Perceived losses If you feel threatened of emotion in the
Fear of others or or attacked, step room right now.
situations back, remain calm,
and provide feedback
to the other Sounds like this
person(s). Allow issue gets people
 yourself to be honest fired up.
with your feelings.
7. Poor Self- Contributes to low As above, in number When receiving
Image/Negative Self- self-image and lack 6. feedback that may
Talk of respect from Do not refer to be helpful for your
others. yourself in negative development you
terms, such as, Im a
can listen first,
mess.
then respond with,
Listen first, then
respond. What I hear you
Ask for a specific saying is that I can
example. become impatient
at times.

It may be helpful
to ask for a specific
example or incident
of the behavior to
enable you to have
a fuller
understanding of
what may need to
be changed. Try,
Can you provide
an example of what
you are referring
to?
8. Lack of Boundaries/ Can be caused by As above, in number I have not been
Inability to Set Limits history of abuse 6. trained to perform
Learn the difference that task, I would
between being a team be happy to
player and being
observe you at this
taken advantage of.
time and learn.
Do not agree to fulfil
obligations, tasks,
assignments that you Please walk me
are not fully through this policy,
competent to process,
perform; or clearly procedure.
qualified to do.
Do not agree to do
anything outside your I will check with
scope of practice or my supervisor and
clinical privileges. inform you what I
Know that it is ok to find out.
say NO.
Know that it is ok to
say YES and ask how
to do it.
9. Lack of Insight Blindness to your Be open to input from I have been told I
faults and flaws robs others. am impatient, do
you of opportunity Ask for honest you agree with that
for personal growth feedback. observation?
Be willing to take
constructive
criticism.
Work to develop the
insight of a mature
adult. Own your
mistakes, apologize
when you are wrong,
and take action to
 correct any damage
that has been done.
Resolve to learn from
your mistakes and
flaws and not to
repeat the same
behavior in the
future.
Request feedback
from trusted
individuals.
10. Physical or Mental Pain, depression, or Take care of your I am taking a
Illness anxiety can affect health, no one else nap/bath/break do
ones ability to will do this or should not disturb me for
focus, listen, and do this for you.
one hour.
respond. Request in simple
terms the time you
need to take care of I need to take
yourself at work and Friday morning off
at home. for a medical
appointment.
11. Hidden Agendas, Disdain and lack of Do not participate in It seems we have
Politics, Games and trust for authority gossip, rumors or strayed a bit from
Tests figures back-stabbing. the original topic of
Secrets create Demonstrate integrity the meeting..can
disempowerment in all that you do.
we get back to the
and dependency Be honest.
which can lead to agenda/problem at
Own your own
increased stress, hand?
mistakes.
burnout, lack of Excuse yourself from
creativity and or try to redirect the I believe the item
motivation conversation if the we were discussing
discussion has turned was .and the
from facts/problem following
solving to gossip or
solution(s) have
complaining.
been offered
12. Lack of Clear, Plain Distancing strategy Speak and present
Speech or Writing (e.g., Power move yourself in a
acronyms, codes, slang, You can appear professional manner
uneducated at all times.
hashtags, accents,
culture, apps, jargon)
Never use slang or
improper English in
professional
situations.
If you lack
communication skills
for appropriate
speech and/or
writing, learn them.
Use available software
and computer
technology to
review/correct
anything submitted in
writing.
Ask a colleague to
proofread for you.
Find the person on
your team or work
unit who enjoys
details, and has the
skill to find a
misplaced semicolon.
 Do not use acronyms,
abbreviations, or
other short-hand
language unless
everyone on the
receiving end knows
what they mean. If
you do not know, ask
for an explanation.