Our final group project was on miscommunication in the workplace (via text, email, skype).

The
instructions for the assignment was to make a document that would be an overview on how to
solve a problem which a leader could read over with a quick overview expressing the problem
and how it could be resolved.

Miscommunication in the Workplace

Submitted by Group 2
McKelle Cook
Madison Hancock
Cambria Jensen
Jessica Juston
Corbin Robinett
Salt Lake Community College
COMM 1010-413
March 29, 2016

Table of Contents
1. Title page-Page 1

2. Table of contents-Page 2
3. Executive summary (body of report)-Page 3
4. Project description-Page 3
5. Methods of solutions to miscommunication-Page 4-5
6. Conclusion-Page 5
7. Works cited-Page 5
8. Appendix 1: Team Contract-Page 6-7
9. Appendix 2: Solutions Analysis Chart-Page 8

Miscommunication in the Workplace

A worldwide problem in the common workplace nowadays, is miscommunication.
Communication is a vital key in any workplace for it to function properly and work effectively.
Types of communication vary from face to face conversations, emails, text messages, online
chats, and no communication at all. The goal of this paper is to provide a step by step process
and solutions to fix miscommunication in the workplace. The end result is to hopefully make
you and your co-workers communicate with each other more effectively.

Executive Summary
Communication in the workplace has become difficult. Texts and emails are enabling
miscommunication because they are not face-to-face interactions. The employees have had
many disputes and arguments over miscommunication, which negatively affects the workplace
environment. We (or Group 2) would like to prevent employees from falling into a pattern of
miscommunication. Avoiding errors is important in our workplace, so we need to take action on
how to avoid miscommunication errors.
Project Description
Each member of Group 2 found that there is a common problem amongst all workplaces.
Miscommunication is a problem that the entire group has experienced first hand and felt the
effects of it. We specifically have felt the effects when there is an apparent lack of
communication and when communicating over Text (Email, Text messages, Memo, Etc). We live
in a very fortunate time where we have been able to use technology for the greater good and
but often times we take things in a way that we shouldnt. Often times it has been said that text
has no emotion. No emotion is also shown when you do not have any communication. Both
miscommunication and no communication are pathways to a crumpling system, and as a group
we have decided to set our sights on finding a solution to this problem.
As a group we met electronically over the last several weeks to brainstorm for solutions to this
problem. We have been able to work as a team, each of us inputting our thoughts and gathering
ways that we could help ourselves when faced with situations that there are a lack of
communication or a miscommunication. Each member strived to make sure we were
brainstorming ideas and finding solutions to what we could do to better enhance communication
in our workplace. With all the solutions that we had come up with we found a solution that had
the best possible outcome for those faced with these situations.

Methods
Our group began by stating problems we all see when it comes to communication in the
workplace. Each of us gave examples of problems we encounter at work when it comes to
communication. Then we came up with ideas how someone could communicate better with
others to avoid any miscommunication problems. Last we put our criteria into a chart and scaled
each on how important we thought each one was to have better communication.
I.

Communication Problems: What is the best way to fix communication problems in the
workplace? Our group came up with some communication problems that people may
face in the workplace and how we can fix those problems.

II.

Analyze: Our group mentions multiple times that communication via text, email, memo,
can be very misleading. Emotions behind the message can be taken the wrong way and

cause problems. No communication at all was also mentioned as this can cause many
problems. If there is no communication, how can anything get done?
III.

Criteria: Our goal is to help solve communication problems in the workplace. We came
up with criteria and scaled it according to what we thought was least and most important.
1. Be clear and concise
2. What type of communication works best
3. Explain what your message means
4. Emphasise emotion
5. Ask questions
6. Repeat information

IV.

Brainstorm: Our group came up with ideas on how we can fix miscommunication that is
happening in the workplace:
Be clear and concise when communicating
See what method of communication will work best
Explain in detail what your message is suppose to mean
Emphasize emotions or lack of
Ask questions
Remind everyone not to read into everything so much
If there is a problem, deal with it on the lowest level possible
Remember chain of command when dealing with a problem. Confront the person first
then work your way up if it's not resolved
Going off of Corbins idea, paraphrase back to the sender of what they just told to be
sure you understood them correctly
Advise the people if a certain communication style isn't working out

V.
1.
2.
3.
4.

(continued)
We narrowed our ideas down to 4. We picked the ones we thought would work the best
when trying to fix communication problems.
Explain what youre not understanding
Ask questions
See if changing the communication method will enhance your communication
Evaluate your communication
Conclusion

Even though the topic we chose for this was miscommunication through emails and texts
messages we all have been able to work as a team electronically and get the task at hand done.
No matter what situation you are placed in, communication can always work if you find what
works best for you and your team. As our team worked on this project we proved this and will
be able to take what we learned into our workplaces and apply it in the future.
Works Cited
http://www.integratedwork.com/resources/articles/resolving-miscommunication/
http://www.jstor.org/stable/41055044?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents

Appendix 1: Group 2 Team Contract

Class: Communications 1010-413
Semester: Spring 2016
Date created: March 29, 2016