Top Communication Issues

Campbell identified top ten communication issues that business communicators must consider to be able
to avoid or solve them.
1. Failure to Listen. Ineffective listening is a big problem in communication. Good communication fails
when one doesn’t pay much attention or plan what to say before one ends his statement. Many
distractions affect effective listening. Team members are distracted by the thoughts bothering his mind.
They have short attention span. Other distractions like noise and other physical barriers present in the
environment take toll resulting to communication failure. To avoid it, speakers must emphasize the
importance of active listening in the discussion. Also point out that inattentiveness results to different
understanding of the topic being discussed. Speakers also must maintain eye contact during the
conversation or discussion.
2. Culture Differences. The diversity of backgrounds and cultural customs create communication issues
among team members and leaders. People would just love to stay along with people of the same
background. Hence, leaders face challenges of grouping and team communication hurdles. To avoid it, try
to promote “unity in diversity” wherein team members must be assigned to different groups to break the
usual grouping.

3. Locale or Distance to Office. The office location or its distance to its employees or contributors entails
problem in the communication. The company usually resorts to email, phone, or video conferencing. The
very low level of interaction in electronic communication poses a communication barrier. It causes
misunderstanding and failures. To solve it, meetings should be done at the nearest venue and on a regular
schedule. Important issues and solutions can be posted or sent to all for further knowledge and
verification.

4. Ego and Attitude. Self-image or ego often affects team’s effort to execute plans. One’s arrogance causes
trouble, and more often, teamwork ends because one’s defiance. Arrogant team member could not
accept the fact that he contributes to team’s problem. The presence of conflict is evident when someone
displays inequality or bias and doesn’t want to take responsibility. To solve it, the team leader or manager
should promote better understanding as the group discusses the issue. He has to re-direct the group to
be able to meet the goals. Calmness and tactfulness help reduce tension and friction between or among
team members.

5. Authority or Hierarchy Problems. The authority that the team leader or manger demonstrates more
often creates intimidation or gap with team members. They become shy and hesitant to approach or talk
to their manager for authority being shown doesn’t create friendly atmosphere. To resolve, managers or
team leaders should promote harmoniously relation among the team members. Communicate to the
members about the intention of helping and letting them feel they are important. And they can approach
the managers for consultation or discussion on personal or work-related issues.

6. Poorly Written Communication. The confusion or misunderstanding of in interoffice business

communication is due to poor content of written documents, substandard organization, fractured
grammar, among other flaws in written interoffice materials. To avoid it, ensure that documents are well-
edited and proofread by best editor in the department. Allow other eyes to check for mistakes in
grammar, spelling, punctuations, and organizations.

7. Gender Bias. The choice of which gender makes a more effective leader in the department is an issue
of gender bias. This gender discrimination creates problem in the organization. To avoid this, team leaders
or managers should ensure that the issue on gender choice is set aside in tackling issues or taking course
of action for the department. Speak about concerns without engaging in demeaning oneself. Avoid
gender-bias language or terms that connote gender. For example, use chairperson for chairman or
chairwoman.

8. Focus or Listening Problems. Inability of employees to focus on the issue is equivalent to listening
problems. The generation gap is often the cause of communication barrier that affects the achievement
of department goals. To help avoid it, leaders or managers must initiate mutual understanding regardless
of age. Encourage teamwork and unity despite differences of age, sex, social status, and family
background. Understand one’s weaknesses and capitalize on one’s strength.

9. Inadequate Knowledge. Little knowledge is dangerous. Hence, team performance is affected due to
ineffective education or lack of understanding or other inadequate knowledge foundation. To resolve it,
leaders or managers encourage team members to upgrade knowledge by pursuing higher degree
programs. Include in the annual target plan the participation of members to seminar, training, or
conferences. Promote reading culture in the department and productive focus group discussion.

10. Cliques, Groups and Friendships. Group membership or group affiliation or exclusive grouping of team
members can sometimes create segregation. To avoid it, promote teamwork spirit in the department.
Conduct team building activities to promote objectivity, teamwork, cooperation, and unity in diversity.