It’s complicated (A thought on miscommunication in the workplace)

It’s complicated would mean a very problematic or difficult situation or condition – as in social media status.  Things get complicated when there is no proper communication.  In the workplace, there are a lot of reasons why miscommunication happens. 

Being in a multicultural setting, the American Hospital of Dubai is not spared from miscommunications.  Having worked here for almost nine years, I have seen how miscommunication happens in the workplace and how it is dealt with by the excellent staff of this hospital.

Through the years, I have observed the following causes of miscommunication in the hospital and how to deal with them:

1.       Unclear instructions.  This would usually lead to misinterpretation.  If the instructions given are not direct to the point, that is where the problem rises.  One solution to this is giving proper instructions and making sure that both parties have the same understanding of the instructions. 

2.      Language barrier.  The hospital has employed practically hundreds of different nationalities.  Though English is the main language in the American Hospital of Dubai, chances are native languages are spoken on duty, which somehow affects the quality of communication.    This was dealt by the management by imposing an “English only” environment in the hospital.

3.      Gestures.  Different cultures have different body language and non-verbal communication interpretation.  Here in the hospital, we have hundreds of different cultures.   Moving the head from side to side would mean “Yes” to Indians but for Filipinos, it means “No”.     Learning the culture of other people and adapting to them is one way of preventing misinterpretation of non-verbal communications.

4.      Poor listening.  During a conversation, sometimes we tend to cut the person talking because we strongly disagree on what that person is saying.  It would stir up a heated discussion or worse, misunderstanding.  We forget to listen attentively to what is being said, thereby creating miscommunication.  The best thing to do is listen closely.  Wait for the other person to finish what he is saying before you speak.  Never cut someone who is talking especially when being given instructions.  Ask your questions after he finishes what he is saying.

Getting things complicated in a workplace such as the American Hospital of Dubai is inevitable.  Being in a multicultural workplace, there are a lot of things that should be considered to have an effective communication.  There may be a lot of causes why miscommunication happens.  One thing’s for sure, any miscommunication can be resolved when dealt with properly.   Then, we can start saying, “uncomplicated” instead of “it’s complicated”.