Common Real-Life Examples of Poor Communication and Best Alternatives
Vague Instructions
Poor Communication: “Get this done ASAP.”
Best Alternative: “Please complete this report by 3 PM today and email it to me.”
Interrupting Others
Poor Communication: Cutting someone off mid-sentence.
Best Alternative: Wait for the person to finish speaking and then share your thoughts.
Using Jargon or Technical Terms
Poor Communication: “We need to synergize our KPIs.”
Best Alternative: “Let’s align our key performance indicators (KPIs).”
Passive-Aggressive Remarks
Poor Communication: “I guess you’re too busy to respond to emails.”
Best Alternative: “I wanted to follow up on my email. Let me know if you need more time to review it.”
Ignoring Feedback
Poor Communication: Nodding without acknowledging suggestions.
Best Alternative: “Thank you for the feedback. I’ll consider this for the next steps.”
Unclear Meeting Objectives
Poor Communication: “Let’s just meet and discuss stuff.”
Best Alternative: “The goal of this meeting is to finalize the project timeline and assign responsibilities.”
Monopolizing Conversations
Poor Communication: Speaking the entire time without letting others contribute.
Best Alternative: Encourage participation by asking, “What are your thoughts on this?”
Negative Non-Verbal Cues
Poor Communication: Rolling your eyes or crossing your arms while someone speaks.
Best Alternative: Maintain eye contact, nod occasionally, and keep an open posture.
Failure to Confirm Understanding
Poor Communication: Assuming someone understands without checking.
Best Alternative: “Can you summarize what we just discussed to ensure we’re on the same page?”
Delayed Responses
Poor Communication: Not replying to emails or messages in a timely manner.
Best Alternative: Acknowledge receipt with, “Thanks for your email. I’ll get back to you by tomorrow.”
Vague Instructions
Poor Communication: “Get this done ASAP.”
Best Alternative: “Please complete this report by 3 PM today and email it to me.”
Interrupting Others
Poor Communication: Cutting someone off mid-sentence.
Best Alternative: Wait for the person to finish speaking and then share your thoughts.
Using Jargon or Technical Terms
Poor Communication: “We need to synergize our KPIs.”
Best Alternative: “Let’s align our key performance indicators (KPIs).”
Passive-Aggressive Remarks
Poor Communication: “I guess you’re too busy to respond to emails.”
Best Alternative: “I wanted to follow up on my email. Let me know if you need more time to review it.”
Ignoring Feedback
Poor Communication: Nodding without acknowledging suggestions.
Best Alternative: “Thank you for the feedback. I’ll consider this for the next steps.”
Unclear Meeting Objectives
Poor Communication: “Let’s just meet and discuss stuff.”
Best Alternative: “The goal of this meeting is to finalize the project timeline and assign responsibilities.”
Monopolizing Conversations
Poor Communication: Speaking the entire time without letting others contribute.
Best Alternative: Encourage participation by asking, “What are your thoughts on this?”
Negative Non-Verbal Cues
Poor Communication: Rolling your eyes or crossing your arms while someone speaks.
Best Alternative: Maintain eye contact, nod occasionally, and keep an open posture.
Failure to Confirm Understanding
Poor Communication: Assuming someone understands without checking.
Best Alternative: “Can you summarize what we just discussed to ensure we’re on the same page?”
Delayed Responses
Poor Communication: Not replying to emails or messages in a timely manner.
Best Alternative: Acknowledge receipt with, “Thanks for your email. I’ll get back to you by tomorrow.”
