Communication Issues in the Workplace

Communication Issues in The Workplace
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Communication Issues in The Workplace
Introduction
Effective communication is vital to the productivity of any workspace, influencing employee satisfaction, cooperation, and organizational achievements. However, workplaces encounter various communication barriers, significantly affecting employee relations. As such, it is important to investigate, identify, and address communication problems to ensure better organizational results. Insights from this research can benefit managers, human resource representatives, and organizational leaders who use communication to streamline workplace operations. There are diverse scholarly studies that have focused on the issues of communication in the workplace that will inform this research. Authors such as Lee and Queenie Li (2020), Mikkola and Valkonen (2019), and Olanrewaju et al. (2017) provide in-depth analysis of the barriers to communication within organizations and recommend evidence-based solutions to address such challenges. They highlight various triggers of communication problems in the workplace, including goal misalignment, vagueness, poor listening abilities, cultural differences, hierarchical barriers, inadequate feedback and recognition, technological barriers, and character conflicts. Such problems diminish group cohesion, employees’ job satisfaction, and overall organizational effectiveness. Consequently, organizations must pursue workable communication solutions, such as promoting a culture of open communication in the workplace to enhance organizational performance.
Literature Review
Triggers of Communication Problems in The Workplace
Cultural Differences
Cultural distinctions significantly contribute to the obstacles in communicating effectively in a diverse workplace setting. Evans and Suklun (2017) acknowledge that having staff from diverse cultural origins means they exhibit varying communication methods. These diversities can occasion misunderstandings and conflicts. Similarly, their non-verbal signals and language differences contribute to communication barriers in the workplace. For instance, local customs and beliefs can determine how individuals understand and express information. Communication styles that are direct and assertive in one society could be viewed as hostile in another. Non-verbal indicators, including hand movements, gaze, and personal space, diverge across cultures, resulting in unintended offense or confusion unless understood appropriately. Evans and Suklun (2017) assert that workers may possess a shared language yet experience confusion owing to differences in speech patterns and vocabulary usage. As a result, cultural variations can significantly influence teamwork and decision-making methods. For instance, while some may place varying importance on hierarchical structures, others value open communication and equality.
Misalignment of Goals and Objectives
Misaligned objectives obstruct the flow of information and shared understanding within the organization. According to Olanrewaju et al. (2017), lack of alignment between team members regarding goals and priorities can give rise to mis...