Challenges to Interpersonal Communication and How to Overcome Them

Interpersonal Communication in the Workplace

Abstract

This paper discusses the role that interpersonal communication plays in the workplace, some challenges that can prevent it from being developed, and what leaders can do to promote it. It shows that interpersonal communication helps to foster teamwork, trust, and accountability. It shows that challenges to communication can come in the form of different biases, such as generational bias, gender bias, political bias, or cultural bias. It shows finally that leaders set the tone for communication in the workplace. The more welcoming leaders are of other opinions, the more likely interpersonal communication is to be effectively implemented. Mentors should promote interpersonal communication so as to make new hires feel supported and part of the team; and social and emotional intelligence skills should be developed so that individuals know how to read situations and other peoples in order to give the right kind of feedback, support, and assistance.

Introduction

Interpersonal communication in the workplace is vital for developing and maintaining teams, cultivating an appropriate workplace culture, enhancing morale, and building trust. Some of the challenges of interpersonal communication in the workplace include language barriers; different belief systems such as ideological, religious, political or social beliefs that conflict with what others believe; different communication styles, with some people being extroverted and others introverted; different generational backgrounds; and different personality types. It is necessary to be mindful of these obstacles to interpersonal communication in the workplace so that they can be overcome. It is inevitable that conflict will arise between people at some point, and it helps to understand how to foster communication in such situations so that they can be defused. Workplace communication is thus the glue that keeps everyone on board and on the same page.

Why Interpersonal Communication Matters

One often overlooked reason interpersonal communication matters is that it is a great way to help mentor or onboard new employees (DeKay, 2012). A new employee needs to feel part of the team right from the get-go. That feeling cannot be obtained without solid interpersonal communication from others. Older employers who can mentor newer workers should show great communication with the new hires so that everyone feels supported and on accepted.

Interpersonal communication in the workplace can help foster trust, teamwork, stability, accountability, and mindfulness (Burgoon, Berger & Waldron, 2000). Mindfulness is important because it ensures that workers are engaged and taking steps to accomplish tasks and perform at a high level. Words of support from other peers, words of encouragement, positive communication demonstrations, the giving and receiving of feedback, and the provision of timely information are all ways that interpersonal communication can be shown.

Another reason interpersonal communication matters in the workplace is that supports relationships and reduces the risk of conflict (Mikkola & Nykanen, 2019). Workplace bullying can be a problem wherein people fail to communicate effectively; sometimes others can look the other way or fail to provide support for others to show that bullying is not wanted. Interpersonal communication allows workers to express their thoughts, feelings and needs in a way that helps them to grow together and overcome differences. The more united workers are, the more likely they are to operate and perform at a high level.

Challenges

Some challenges to interpersonal communication in the workplace include not having the emotional and social intelligence skills needed to facilitate appropriate communication (McIntosh, Luecke & Davis, 2008). If a person does not know how to read others or other situations, how to assess the emotions and things that go unsaid, or how to analyze body language so as to respond in the best way, it limits the extent to which interpersonal communication can be realized. Interpersonal communication is an art that has to be honed through the development of skills like social and emotional intelligence.

Another big challenge can be bias: people of different generations have biases about others; people of different backgrounds or belief systems have different views; and people of different genders can have different approaches to communication or working styles (Wolfe & Powell, 2009). In a workplace there is bound to be a lot of diversity, and bias should not be something that gets in the way of how people interact. Bias can show itself in ways, such as the creation of silos, or the outright form of disrespect to another person. Bias should be reduced through workplace guidance policies, education, and demonstrations of inclusivity from leadership. It is in this last way that leaders in the workplace are especially important as they set the tone for how others should behave (Lolli, 2013). Just because people come from different places, have different views, or are of a different age it does mean their experiences and perspectives are invalid—it just means people need to be willing to open the door to differing ideas and thoughts for the good of the workplace.

Conclusion

Interpersonal communication in the workplace should promote human connectivity, teamwork and trust. It is about building rapport with others, showing support, and reducing the risk of conflict. Communication among workers is the way to hold an organization together because it makes sure information is flowing where it should and that people are giving and receiving support in challenging times. Because of all the differences of experiences and views that can be found in a diverse workplace, it is important for leaders to show how to promote interpersonal communication in the workplace by being welcoming of diversity, using social and emotional intelligence, and welcoming and giving feedback. Mentors should also promote interpersonal communication so as to facilitate the onboarding process and getting new hires on the same page and feeling part of the team as quickly as possible.