Antipatterns for Time-Constrained Communication: II

In Part 1 of this exploration, I described three communication antipatterns that can arise independent of what we intend to communicate. In this Part 2, I describe antipatterns that arise, in part, because of the attributes of what we're communicating.

As in the previous posts in this series, I use the name Eugene (E for Expressing) when I'm referring to the person expressing an idea, asking a question, or in some other way contributing new material to an exchange. And I use the name Rachel (R for Receiving) when I'm referring to someone who's Receiving Eugene's communication.

With that prolog, here are three antipatterns that increase the risk of miscommunication.

Second language/culture effects

Even though all discussion participants are speaking the same language, for some participants, that language is their native language, while for others, it's a second language (or third, or …) acquired later in life. Miscommunications can arise when using the later-acquired language to convey culture-specific concepts. So, for example, if Eugene is speaking his first language, and Rachel her second, it's easy to imagine the difficulties that can arise. Even easier: Both are speaking the same later-acquired language.

An analogous risk pertains to cultural factors. If the matter at hand has cultural components, a participant who hails from a different culture might understand the contributions of others in a way that differs from the way they were intended.

For example, the word jurors in the sentence, "Jurors decide who is guilty" can become judge when used (or heard) by someone unfamiliar with the notion of jury trials. [Pavlenko 2017]

The game of telephone

The game Telephone is a globally popular game for children. Players arrange themselves in a chain or line. The player at one end of the chain whispers a message to the next player in the chain, who then passes it along to the next, and so on. For chains of five or more, the message received at the end of the chain can be strikingly different from the original message. The contrast can be very entertaining.

At work, this effect is far from entertaining, because we depend on faithful replication at each link of the chain. Distortion is more likely to appear when complex or technical information is passed from one person to the next. When groups converse under time pressure, distortions are introduced and they can lead to miscommunications.

Anger and hostility are afoot

Under time pressure, or pressure of any kind, we can experience stress. And stress can lead to anger. [Arslan 2010] When participants become angry, their ability to understand each other — or even to think clearly — can become impaired. [Miller 2023]

An ability to If the matter at hand has cultural components, a
participant who hails from a different culture might
understand the contributions of others in a way
that differs from the way they were intendednotice anger early is helpful in mitigating the risk of undesirable outcomes when we communicate under time pressure. Early notice of anger begins with awareness of time pressure. When we know we're under time pressure, we can be alert to the onset of anger.

Political consequences

In some instances, Eugene might be aware that certain contributions to a conversation might have political consequences. For example, questioning the credibility of a report might be equivalent to questioning the credibility of the author of the report.

Political sensitivity can affect the content of communications. For example, Eugene might be aware that political consequences of certain comments could be significant and unwelcome. He might tend to withhold those comments. Or he might tend to slant them so as to limit their unwelcome effects. When this happens, Eugene might be unaware of the full effects of the adjustments. Unintended distortions are possible.

Last words

In Part III of this exploration we describe antipatterns that arise from contextual factors.   First issue in this series    Next issue in this series   Top    Next Issue

Are you fed up with tense, explosive meetings? Are you or a colleague the target of a bully? Destructive conflict can ruin organizations. But if we believe that all conflict is destructive, and that we can somehow eliminate conflict, or that conflict is an enemy of productivity, then we're in conflict with Conflict itself. Read 101 Tips for Managing Conflict to learn how to make peace with conflict and make it an organizational asset. Order Now!

Footnotes

Your comments are welcome

About Point Lookout

Thank you for reading this article. I hope you enjoyed it and found it useful, and that you'll consider recommending it to a friend.

This article in its entirety was written by a human being. No machine intelligence was involved in any way.

Point Lookout is a free weekly email newsletter. Browse the archive of past issues. Subscribe for free.

Support Point Lookout by joining the Friends of Point Lookout, as an individual or as an organization.

Do you face a complex interpersonal situation? Send it in, anonymously if you like, and I'll give you my two cents.

Related articles

More articles on Effective Communication at Work:

Exasperation Generators: Opaque Metaphors

Most people don't mind going to meetings. They don't even mind coming back from them. It's being in meetings that can be so exasperating. What can we do about this?

Exasperation Generators: Irrelevant Detail

When people relate stories at work, what seems important to one person can feel irrelevant to someone else. Being subjected to one irrelevant detail after another can be as exasperating as being told repeatedly to get to the point. How can we find a balance?

Chronic Peer Interrupters: III

People who habitually interrupt others in meetings must be fairly common, because I'm often asked about what to do about them. And you can find lots of tips on the Web, too. Some tips work well, some generally don't. Here are my thoughts about four more.

Critical Communications

From time to time, we're responsible for sending critical communications — essential messages that the intended recipients must have. It's a heavy responsibility that can bear some risk. A strategy for managing those risks involves three messages.

They Don't Reply to My Email

Ever have the experience of sending an email message to someone, asking for information or approval or whatever, and then waiting for a response that comes only too late? Maybe your correspondent is an evil loser, but maybe not. Maybe the problem is in your message.

See also Effective Communication at Work and Effective Communication at Work for more related articles.

Forthcoming issues of Point Lookout

Coming September 4: Beating the Layoffs: I

If you work in an organization likely to conduct layoffs soon, keep in mind that exiting voluntarily before the layoffs can carry significant advantages. Here are some that relate to self-esteem, financial anxiety, and future employment. Available here and by RSS on September 4.

And on September 11: Beating the Layoffs: II

If you work in an organization likely to conduct layoffs soon, keep in mind that exiting voluntarily can carry advantages. Here are some advantages that relate to collegial relationships, future interviews, health, and severance packages. Available here and by RSS on September 11.

Coaching services

I offer email and telephone coaching at both corporate and individual rates. Contact Rick for details at rbrenyrWpTxHuyCrjZbUpner@ChacnoFNuSyWlVzCaGfooCanyon.com or (650) 787-6475, or toll-free in the continental US at (866) 378-5470.

Get the ebook!

Past issues of Point Lookout are available in six ebooks:

• Get 2001-2 in Geese Don't Land on Twigs (PDF, )
• Get 2003-4 in Why Dogs Wag (PDF, )
• Get 2005-6 in Loopy Things We Do (PDF, )
• Get 2007-8 in Things We Believe That Maybe Aren't So True (PDF, )
• Get 2009-10 in The Questions Not Asked (PDF, )
• Get all of the first twelve years (2001-2012) in The Collected Issues of Point Lookout (PDF, )

Are you a writer, editor or publisher on deadline? Are you looking for an article that will get people talking and get compliments flying your way? You can have 500-1000 words in your inbox in one hour. License any article from this Web site. More info