Question

When it comes to communication, the obstacles are many. Two pearls of wisdom to think about when we converse; First, do you realize that every conversation we have is actually an argument? Regardless of the topic, when we speak we’re trying to get the other person to agree with our point of view on the topic. Pay attention during the course of a day’s conversation and see if you agree. Secondly, every time we use the word “but” in a sentence, everything before it was a lie. Again, pay attention to your conversations, and what people are saying to you! Bet you converse a bit differently moving forward.

And since language is the prime topic for this instance, let's take yet another fact in Critical Thinking. this week focused on language. Remember, draw from what you're about to watch for the discussion!

And to this end, below are a number of scenarios that hamper communication. What would you do to solve each?

#1. Failure to Listen

The inability to listen is a huge problem. Often you will see co-workers interrupting speakers or planning what they will say next instead of effectively listening. Other distractions are when team members roll their eyes at comments or just discount their worker’s premise; and still others just forget to pay attention, they are too distracted or have a short attention span. Obviously these all reflect on their failure to listen.

#2. Culture Differences

The office has become a melting pot stocked with people of diverse backgrounds and cultural customs. People tend to “hang" with others familiar to their culture or habits. When these individual groups assemble, managers face the challenges of small group dynamics and team communication issues.

#3. Attitude & Ego

Too often teamwork stops because of someone’s ego. They refuse to admit they might be part of the problem. Conflicts also arise because of inequity, and rather than make the situation more equal, someone becomes defensive instead of taking responsibility.

#4. Focus or Listening Problems

Inability of employees to interpret the information or provide adequate focus leads to team communication issues. The gap in age, the hole left by a boomer generation retiring, and other societal weaknesses make this communication barrier very real.

#5. Cliques, Groups and Friendships

A tight and exclusive grouping of individuals who bond together for one reason or another can be problematic if they are not objective.

Answer 1

Failure to listen: We can tackle this problem by understanding the group before talking to them, try to convey your point by geling it with topics which inetrest the group. Try to empathise. Make the conversation crisp and to the point. Bring humor into the conversation proves to be the best method.

Cultural differences: Cultural differences can be tackled by shuffling individuals from different cultural backgrounds to form small groups as well setting a target which would enable them to intercat and work together in achieving the goals. Conducting activities which would break the cultural boundaries and help them understand each others culture. enabling them to bond well.

Attitude and ego: Attitude and ego does not go along with team work, identify such individuals in a group and give them the freedom to work on a part of the project which can later added on to the work of whole team. hence this would not allow any loopholes in taking up responsibility and does not conflict with attitude and ego.

Cliques, groups and friendship: Group dynamics are at its best when one can analyse the pulse of a particular group. Understanding the pulse refers to the positive element in which they are best at. Past experiences of their performances give a vital clue of their strength and weakness. The manager should be able to wave his magic wand at the right time and context.