Electronic Communications are Easily Misunderstood

In today’s world, we often use text and e-mail to communicate electronically. It’s a quick and easy way to get your message across.

So, if it’s quick and easy, what’s the problem? Well, often the actual message isn’t communicated, it gets misunderstood. Emotion, intent, and context are often lost in this particular translation.

Here’s what happens:
Research has demonstrated that as much as 93 percent of all communication is nonverbal, meaning that in a text it is possible that only 7 percent of your message is accurately understood. Most of us have had the experience of a text message being totally misconstrued. In reading a message it may be the emotion that a recipient may feel or even the actual facts; misunderstandings are frequent.

Without the ability to see and read the face and body language of the sender, electronic communication makes it easy for the listener to presume a particular emotion, intent, and attitude.

Importantly, we have found that many people use texting and email to avoid addressing workplace issues, particularly conflict. This is one of the reasons why employees don’t reduce their texting even when policies require it.

We can help you determine if miscommunications are reducing your company’s bottom line, directly or indirectly.