Communication and Collaboration The effects of poor communication in business (and 8 tips to fix it) Poor communication in the workplace can affect productivity, morale, and engagement. Learn how to address the underlying causes of poor communication and create effective internal communication within your business. 7 minute read Table of contents You might also like… Whitepaper Intranet use cases Whitepaper Award-winning intranets Communication is like the heartbeat of any organization—it keeps everything running smoothly. But when communication goes awry, it’s like a wrench in the gears, disrupting the flow and causing all sorts of issues. From misunderstood emails to confusing meetings, poor communication breeds frustration and inefficiency. By tackling communication problems head-on, you can create a workplace where people feel heard, ideas flow freely, and everyone can do their best work. In this article, we explore the causes and effects of poor communication in business, as well as tips to fix poor communication in the workplace. What is poor communication in the workplace? You’re at work, trying to get stuff done, but there’s this constant feeling of things not quite clicking—emails get misinterpreted, instructions are unclear, and meetings seem to go nowhere. Sound familiar? These are all signs of poor internal communication, and it’s a huge roadblock in the way of productivity and teamwork. Poor communication within a workplace can impact morale, slow decision-making, and affect the company’s bottom line. It’s like navigating in dense fog—it obscures clarity, slows progress, and increases the risk of veering off course. Causes of poor communication in the workplace Poor communication takes shape in many forms and can occur at all levels of an organization, from leadership down to individual team member interactions. Ambiguity in expectations In a Gallup 2024 poll, only 44% of employees know what’s expected of them at work. When roles, responsibilities and expectations are not clearly defined, it leads to confusion, frustration, and communication breakdowns. Information overload In a Harvard Business Review survey, 80% of respondents experienced information overload, up from 60% in 2020! With the bombardment of information coming your way 24/7, information overload can make it challenging for employees to prioritize and process essential communication effectively. Lack of clarity in messaging Poor communication can show up when messages are not conveyed clearly and concisely. In this case, apply the KISS principle—keep it simple and avoid vague or ambiguous language, technical jargon, and convoluted explanations that can lead to misunderstandings. Poor listening skills When we fail to listen attentively or empathetically, important details may be missed, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts. Effective communication is a two-way street that requires active listening from all parties involved—we know, it’s such a simple thing to say, but an incredibly difficult thing to master (don’t worry, we’ve shared some tips on how to fix poor communication below). Cultural and language barriers Companies that are more diverse and inclusive are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors and more diverse teams are 87% better at making decisions. Despite all the good that a more diverse team brings, communication challenges can still arise, whether it’s different cultural norms, communication styles, or language proficiency levels. Lack of feedback We know that gathering employee feedback is really valuable (in fact, 75% of employees believe it to be the case), yet, the absence of feedback still exists in many workplaces, which leads to ongoing communication problems. Effects of poor communication in the workplace The causes of poor communication in the workplace impact many aspects of organizational dynamics and employee well-being. These are common results of poor internal communication, costing companies thousands of dollars and reducing employee satisfaction. Decreased productivity Unclear, incomplete, or misinterpreted messages can lead to employees wasting time seeking clarification or correcting errors, ultimately hindering progress on tasks and projects. Lower morale and job satisfaction Individuals who feel unheard, undervalued, or uninformed may become disengaged with their work, leading to decreased motivation and morale across the organization. Increased conflicts and tension Expectations that are not communicated clearly can result in conflicts, resentment, and a difficult workplace that undermines collaboration and teamwork. Award-winning intranets See the best examples of how companies are using their intranets to improve their internal communications Download now Missed opportunities When ideas are not effectively communicated or shared, valuable insights and opportunities for improvement or innovation can go unrecognized, limiting a company’s ability to adapt and thrive in a competitive market. Costly errors and repercussions A recent study by Grammarly and the Harris Poll estimates that U.S. businesses lose up to $1.2 trillion every year due to ineffective internal communication. Errors, omissions, or misinterpretations, can lead to financial setbacks, compliance issues, and even legal disputes that damage the company’s credibility and financial stability. A hefty price to pay for something that may seem so innocuous. Tips for improving internal communication in the workplace It’s clear that poor communication seriously impacts a company’s bottom line, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Create a clear path to success by integrating these 8 tips for effective internal communication in your workplace. 1. Use an intranet platform An intranet platform is the go-to tool for keeping everyone on the same page and ensuring that no one misses out on important updates or announcements. An intranet is like the ultimate team chat room, making it easy for everyone to stay in the loop and work together seamlessly. An intranet platform offers centralized information hubs, collaborative spaces, instant messaging, employee directories, announcements, and many more features. These capabilities allow companies to streamline communication processes, foster teamwork, and ensure important information reaches employees promptly, regardless of their location or device. 2. Encourage open dialogue Encourage a culture of open communication where employees feel comfortable sharing their ideas, concerns, and feedback. Create opportunities for team members to voice their opinions during meetings, brainstorming sessions, one-on-one discussions or employee discussion forums to create greater engagement between your employees. 3. Clarify expectations Clearly define roles, responsibilities, and expectations for each team member to avoid confusion and ambiguity. Provide detailed instructions, deadlines, and guidelines for projects and tasks, and be open to questions or clarifications from employees. 4. Practice active listening Active listening is fundamental to any kind of communication, and it’s especially important in the workplace when misunderstandings can result in costly errors. Some suggestions include giving full attention to the speaker, maintaining eye contact, asking clarifying questions to ensure understanding, avoiding interruptions while the other person is speaking, showing empathy, and respecting the speaker’s perspective. 5. Provide constructive feedback Offer timely and constructive feedback to employees to help them grow and improve professionally. Focus on specific behaviors or actions, provide examples, and offer suggestions for improvement in a supportive and nonjudgmental manner. 6. Encourage collaboration Encourage collaboration and teamwork by facilitating cross-functional projects, team-building activities, and collaborative problem-solving sessions. Create opportunities for employees to work together towards common goals and share knowledge and expertise. 7. Lead by example If you’re a leader or manager in your company, you should know that practicing effective communication habits and behaviors is essential. Are you transparent, approachable, and responsive to employee inquiries and concerns? Do you demonstrate active listening and empathy in your interactions? These are the questions to ask yourself if you want to lead your team by example. 8. Invest in training and development If there are communication problems that are clearly impacting your business, investing in communication skills training and professional development opportunities on topics such as active listening, conflict resolution, and public speaking can help increase effective communication across your workplace. In conclusion, it’s important to fix poor communication at work to create a better and smoother workplace. By understanding common problems and using the tips we’ve talked about, companies can make sure everyone talks and works together better.