The Effects of Bad Communication in Business
by Julia Forneris, Demand Media
Regardless of your company's size and number of employees, good
communication is essential to productivity. Conversely, poor
communication has several adverse effects, which can lead to confusion
in the workplace and lost business. Allen Webster's book, "Applied
Statistics for Business and Economics," identifies how crucial
communication in the workplace is: "Without communication and the team
effort it permits, the successful completion of any important project
can be jeopardized."
Decreased Productivity
High productivity is the goal of any business, as it is the
component with which employees accomplish work-related tasks. Poor
communication causes a breakdown in productivity. It may be that the
employer does not relate goals and duties properly, in which case the
employee can't perform the task. Even if you communicate well with your
employees, if they have poor communication among each other,
productivity is affected. Having to go back over the original task takes
away valuable time that could be devoted to other jobs.
Low Morale
When employees receive information that is poorly communicated,
or they lack the ability to communicate effectively themselves, they can
suffer from low morale. Not understanding the task leads to confusion,
which can affect self-esteem, both of which contribute to the job either
not being done or not being completed properly. Communication is a
two-way street, meaning the information flows from the employer to the
employee and back again. Providing an environment in which employees
feel comfortable asking for clarification can increase employee
confidence and communication.
Mistakes
If an employer has poor communication skills, chances are that
the employee can misunderstand his expected duties. Likewise, if
employees lack good communication, they are less likely to ask for
needed clarification or assistance. Poor communication leads to
misunderstandings, which often leads to mistakes being made on the job.
It's especially important to ensure your written communication is clear as well. The written word can be just as easily misunderstood or misconstrued as spoken directives.
It's especially important to ensure your written communication is clear as well. The written word can be just as easily misunderstood or misconstrued as spoken directives.
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