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