Bad Workplace Communication: Is It My Fault?

That sinking feeling in your stomach when you walk away from a miscommunication at work? It’s not unusual. Misunderstood an email? Confused about the scope of your responsibilities? Failed to express enough urgency on a project?

A 2024 Pumble study found that 86% of all employees and employers surveyed attributed failure at work to ineffective communication—with the worst consequences being:

• Failure to complete projects.

• Low employee morale.

• Missed performance goals.

The tension, unease and anxiety from a missed deadline or a bad interaction can ruin your work week. Conversely, GOOD workplace communication can help a project soar. The same study found that good workplace communication increases team productivity by 25%. 

Bad workplace communication most likely isn’t your fault, but it is a responsibility shared by everyone in your organization. As you set out to identify what’s damaging those symbiotic workplace relationships, some questions might help bridge the gaps:

Knowledge

Do all parties understand what is expected of them? If not, do they know how to ask? Do they know it’s acceptable to ask? Do you know where to find resources? 

Time

You or your coworkers might lack the time to properly connect, leading to gaps in your documentation and your communication. At what points in your day can you make space for moments of reflection and conversation—formal or informal? What slots in your calendar can you dedicate to writing emails mindfully, and to carefully writing that report? Do you have access to training sessions? If so, can your employer make time for you to take them?

Tools

What conceptual frameworks guide your workplace writing? What are some straightforward scripts for complicated workplace conversations—and how do you format them into emails, reports, or meeting talking points? Are you aware of all the writing features technology has made available to you to free up some of your time?

Looking to pick up a handful of those tools in a hands-on, one-hour virtual session? Sign up for one of our interactive workshops and get better at workplace emails, or learn to use AI to crunch data, aid research, proofread and adapt content.

Get the knowledge and tools to make the best use of your time!