Miscommunication

Introduction

Causes of Miscommunication

And Solution
 What is a
MISCOMMUNICATION?

Miscommunication
(mis+communication) is
defined as a failure to
communication
adequately and properly.
Continuity ...

It is an instant where either the speaker is

unable to provide the proper and adequate
information to the hearer or the hearer
misperceived and couldn’t recognise
thecommunication from the speaker.

It results in conflicts, frustration and

sometimes even in conflict.
CAUSES OF MISCOMMUNICATION

1)Excess communication

One of the leading causes of miscommunication in

business can be attributed to excess communication.

When information is sent in multiple messages over a

long period, or important information is buried in long
message, the key take-away can be easily missed.
Continuity...
Solution for excess communication
Think before you speak or write
Focus on one topic
Prioritize information
Write short and focused messages
In case of written messages avoid using type styles that
slows your audience’s progress through the message.
CAUSES OF MISCOMMUNICATION

2)Vagueness or ambiguity

Vagueness and ambiguity occur when a message is

not fully delivered, the sender leaves out valuable
information or the receiver fails to ask clarifying
questions.
It enhances the difficulty of a task, and they
diminish the ability to make decisions and solve
problems.
Continuity...
Solution for vagueness and ambiguity
As a Speaker

Get the attention of the listener

Adjust the message to facilitate greater understanding.
Checking from the listeners to make sure they have
understood
Engage actively with the verbal and nonverbal feedback
of others as communication is more than just words.
Continuity...
Solution for vagueness and ambiguity

As a listener

Be an active listener not a passive listener

Avoid interruption
CAUSES OF MISCOMMUNICATION

3) Egotistical and
unhealthy conversations

Many conversations can revolve around people trying

to one-up each other, impatiently listening so that
they can speak, or make statements and arguments
with the sole purpose of claiming victory in a debate
and wilfully ignoring any points made by others.
Continuity...

Solution for egotistical conversation

Take time to understand as you try to be understood.

In a rush to explain ourselves we shouldn't forget that
communication is a two way street
Be open to what other person might say. Avoid
enforcing your words just to show your supremacy.
CAUSES OF MISCOMMUNICATION

4) Assumptions
Assumptions in business communication
occur when various factors are thought to be
true but are never confirmed.
As a speaker, we assume that people interpret things the same
way we do and we have been clear enough—frequently enough
to get our point across.
Similarly as a listener we make assumptions, we over-rely on
our past experience and on our own limited frame of
reference
We think we know what others mean because we filter
what they say to calibrate it with what’s familiar,
comfortable or desirable to us.
Continuity...

Solution for assumption

Be aware of your personal perceptual filters-

Elements of your personal experience including your
culture, community and family influence how you see
the world.
Don’t assume that our perception is the objective truth.
Thank
You!