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Have you ever presented an idea to a group, and it’s met with utter confusion? What’s going on here? Katherine Hampsten describes why miscommunication occurs so frequently, and how we can minimize frustration while expressing ourselves better.
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Customize This Lesson - How miscommunication happens (and...
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13 Open Discussions - How miscommunication happens (and how...
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1 Guided Discussion - How miscommunication happens (and how...
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- Listening
- Perception
- Verbal Communication
- Support
- References
- Resources
Barriers to active listening
1. Focusing on a personal agenda.When we spend our listening time formulating our next response, we cannot be fully attentive to what the speaker is saying. 2. Experiencing information overload.Too much stimulation or information can make it very difficult to listen with full attention. Try to focus on the relevant information, and the central points that are being conveyed. 3. Criticizing the speaker. Do not be distracted by critical evaluations of the speaker. Focus on what they are saying...
Strategies for active listening
The following strategies are intended to promote active listening, or a type of listening with the goal to “develop a clear understanding of the speaker’s concern and also to clearly communicate the listener’s interest in the speaker’s message” (McNaughton, Hamlin, McCarthy, Head-Reeves, & Schreiner, 2008, p. 224). 1. Stop. Focus on the other person, their thoughts and feelings. Consciously focus on quieting your own internal commentary, and step away from your own concerns to think about tho...
Barriers to accurate perception
1. Stereotyping and generalizing.Be careful not to hold on to preconceptions about people or things. We often have a tendency to see what we want to see, forming an impression from a small amount of information or one experience, and assuming that to be highly representative of the whole person or situation. 2. Not investing time.Making assumptions and ignoring details or circumstances can lead to misconceptions. When we fail to look in-depth for causes or circumstances, we miss important det...
Strategies for accurate perception
1. Analyze your own perceptions.Question your perceptions, and think about how they are formed. Check in with others around you regularly, and be aware of assumptions that you are making. Seek additional information and observations. You may just need to ask people if your perceptions are accurate. 2. Work on improving your perception.Increase your awareness of barriers to perception, and which ones you tend towards. Check in with yourself regularly. Seek honest, constructive feedback from ot...
Barriers to effective verbal communication
1. Lacking clarity.Avoid abstract, overly-formal language, colloquialisms, and jargon, which obscure your message more than they serve to impress people. 2. Using stereotypes and generalizations. Speakers who make unqualified generalizations undermine their own clarity and credibility. Be careful not to get stuck in the habit of using stereotypes, or making generalizations about complex systems or situations. Another form of generalization is “polarization” or creating extremes. Try to be sen...
Strategies for effective verbal communication
1. Focus on the issue, not the person.Try not to take everything personally, and similarly, express your own needs and opinions in terms of the job at hand. Solve problems rather than attempt to control others. For example, rather than ignoring a student who routinely answers questions in class with inappropriate tangents, speak with the student outside of class about how this might disrupt the class and distract other students. 2. Be genuine.Be yourself, honestly and openly. Be honest with y...
If you would like support applying these tips to your own teaching, CTE staff members are here to help. View the CTE Supportpage to find the most relevant staff member to contact.
McNaughton, D., Hamlin, D., McCarthy, J., Head-Reeves, D., & Schreiner, M. (2008). Learning to listen: Teaching an active listening strategy to preservice education professionals. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 27, 223-231. Weger, H., Jr., Castle, G. R., & Emmett, M. C. (2010). Active listening in peer interviews: The influence of mes...
CTE teaching tips
1. Question Strategies 2. Facilitating Effective Discussions 3. When Things Go Wrong
Other CTE resources
Consider participating in the CTE’s Instructional Skills Workshop, an intensive, collaborative learning model that uses videotaped micro-teaching and peer feedback sessions to support participants' teaching reflection and growth.
Other resources
1. Beebe et al. Interpersonal Communication: Relating to Others 2nd Canadian Edition. (Scarborough, Ontario: Allyn and Bacon, 2000). 2. Gordon, T. (2003). Teacher Effectiveness Training. First Revised Edition. New York: Three Rivers Press. 3. Wood, J. T. (2015). Interpersonal communication: Everyday encounters. Nelson Education. This Creative Commons license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon our work non-commercially, as long as they credit us and indicate if changes were made. Use thi...
- Foster a Positive Classroom Environment. Creating a positive classroom environment is crucial for overcoming communication barriers. Teachers should establish trust, respect, and open communication channels that encourage students to express their thoughts and concerns freely.
- Utilize Visual Aids. Visual aids such as diagrams, charts, or videos can enhance understanding, especially for students who face language or comprehension difficulties.
- Simplify Language. Using clear and concise language can help overcome language barriers. Teachers should avoid jargon, complex vocabulary, or idiomatic expressions that might confuse students.
- Encourage Active Listening. Active listening is a crucial skill that helps address communication barriers. Teachers should promote active listening among students by incorporating activities that require them to listen attentively and respond thoughtfully.
- Lack of trust. Problem: If you aren’t open and forthright with your colleagues when an issue arises at work, affecting a project, they won’t know when to expect the finished product and they may feel resentful.
- Poor leadership. Problem: Teams rely on managers to clearly communicate ideas, goals, and the group’s overall vision. When a team lacks leadership, they may be left feeling siloed in their work, indecisive about how to move forward with tasks, and unable to lean on others for support.
- Close-mindedness. Problem: Close-mindedness kills innovation and communication at work. If no one feels like they can suggest new ideas or perspectives because of a headstrong manager or colleague, the team culture will suffer.
- Insufficient communication channels. Problem: If it’s 2022 and email is your only communication channel, it’s time to introduce some new tools. Teams with insufficient communication channels (or too many) will have messages that get lost and left unread.
Mar 31, 2016 · Why does miscommunication occur so frequently, and how we can minimize frustration while expressing ourselves better? Below, Katherine Hampsten explains how to avoid miscommunication. The fact is, human communication is incredibly complex.
- 5 min
- Lisa LaBracio
Sep 22, 2015 · People invariably predicted there would be fewer miscommunications with close friends and partners. In reality, people understood friends and strangers about the same.
People also ask
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Apr 20, 2020 · This communication lesson plan is based on a short video presenting how miscommunication happens and how we can avoid it. The worksheet includes vocabulary tasks, listening comprehension and speaking practice.
