Communication Bandits

Communication Hazards and Noise

No discussion about communication is complete without addressing the impact of noise and 'static.' These are simple words to describe communication hazards—the things that mess up the message as it is transferred to and from sender(s) and receiver(s). You could have the most well-crafted message, the best intentions, selected the most effective channels, and still not successfully complete a communication cycle. Being aware of communication hazards is a key aspect of effective communication.

Sources of static and noise are barriers to communications and impede message transfer include:

• Psychological Barriers & Biases
• Language and Vocabulary Barriers
• Cultural Differences
• Emotion, Mood, and Attitude
• Technology

Psychological Barriers & Biases

Preconceived notions, biases, or defensive attitudes can create psychological barriers that hinder effective communication.  We all have bias.  Bias is an inherent part of human cognition and is shaped by various factors such as upbringing, culture, and personal experiences.  Our brains naturally rely on shortcuts and patterns to process information quickly, and this can lead to cognitive biases. 

Cognitive biases refer to systematic thinking that affects our judgments and decision-making processes.  These biases often operate unconsciously and can influence how we perceive, interpret, and remember information.  They can arise from our desire for consistency, our need to simplify complex information, and our tendency to rely on heuristics or mental shortcuts.  Recognizing and acknowledging our biases is an important step towards mitigating their effects.  It allows us to approach situations with greater open-mindedness and critical thinking.  It's important to strive for self-awareness and actively engage in introspection to identify and challenge our own biases.  Open and honest communication requires trust, bias can erode trust in communication.  When bias is perceived or experienced, it can lead to skepticism, decreased willingness to collaborate, and strained relationships. 

Leaders who seek diverse perspectives, expose themselves to different cultures and ideas, and foster empathy can help broaden understanding and reduce the influence of bias in our thinking and communication.  Encouraging open-mindedness, practicing empathy, and fostering a culture of trust and psychological safety can help overcome psychological barriers.

Common Cognitive Biases and Ways to Address Them

Cognitive Bias	Description	Recommendations to Recognize and Mitigate
Confirmation Bias	Tendency to seek or interpret information that confirms our beliefs	Seek out diverse perspectives and actively consider alternative viewpoints Be aware of selective exposure to information Engage in critical thinking and question your own assumptions
Availability Bias	Overestimating the importance of information readily available	Actively seek out additional information and diverse sources Consider the reliability and representativeness of available information Challenge assumptions and consider alternative possibilities
Anchoring Bias	Relying too heavily on the first piece of information encountered	Seek multiple sources of information before forming judgments Engage in deliberate and careful analysis of information Consider a wide range of possibilities and avoid premature conclusions
Hindsight Bias	Believing events were more predictable after they occurred	Reflect on the initial information and context available before an event Consider multiple potential outcomes and acknowledge uncertainty Avoid judging decisions solely based on their outcomes
Overconfidence Bias	Overestimating our abilities and the accuracy of our judgments	Encourage feedback from others and consider different perspectives Seek out objective data and evidence to support judgments Embrace a growth mindset and acknowledge areas of uncertainty
Stereotyping & Prejudice Bias	Making assumptions or generalizations about individuals or groups	Engage in empathy and seek to understand individual differences Challenge stereotypes and preconceived notions Focus on individual merits and unique characteristics
Bandwagon Effect	Adopting beliefs or behaviors because others are doing the same	Encourage independent thinking and critical analysis Seek out diverse opinions and perspectives Consider evidence and logic rather than solely relying on popularity
In-group Bias	Favoring individuals or groups we identify with	Be aware of biases towards certain groups and actively challenge them Foster empathy and understanding towards diverse groups Encourage interactions and collaborations across different groups

Language and Vocabulary Barriers

Differences in language or vocabulary can lead to misunderstandings, especially in multicultural or multilingual settings.  Using clear and simple language, providing translations or interpreters when necessary, and practicing active listening can help overcome language barriers.  Words have meaning!  Give definitions for the words you use.  It is not a mistake or page filler to see definitions of key terms in the opening parts of each section--it provides necessary context. 

Beware of jargon!  Industries, organizations, and teams naturally create their own languages.  Shared experiences and acronyms become part of the vernacular and help define micro-cultures.  Whenever you are bringing in a new team member, consultant, client, etc. be sure to maintain awareness of these language barriers.  Use your intranet or knowledgebase to hold an acronym glossary.  Find fun ways to keep it fresh and current by gathering feedback from new employees.  One excellent team leader I knew, gave a blank sheet of paper with just this heading: “Huh?!?!” to each new team member to write down anything they were unsure of; including, where to find resources, procedures, even words or acronyms they heard during the first 2 weeks that were unfamiliar to them.  He always had a one-on-one meeting with each new person at the end of the first two weeks to check-in, etc.  Part of this conversation included a review of the “Huh?!?!” list.  The team leader then submitted the list to the training and development department to review and update orientation, company glossary, etc.

Cultural Differences

Cultures have values, norms, and communication styles.  Being aware of cultural diversity, practicing cultural sensitivity, and adapting communication strategies to accommodate different cultural perspectives can help bridge cultural barriers and mitigate misunderstandings or misinterpretations.   Let’s pause on this word ‘culture’.  Cultures exist everywhere; good and bad, healthy and toxic.  There are macro cultures and micro cultures.  ‘Culture’ does not only describe cuisine, religion, geography, or politics.  The ability to adapt is where the ’leadership’ skill comes in.  My advice…pay attention.  Not everyone thinks the way you think, talks the way you talk, etc.  If you want to be a leader, the sooner you figure this out and behave in a way that proves you respect what makes people different and value commonalities, the sooner people will begin to listen to what you have to say.

Emotion, Mood, and Attitude

Emotional states such as stress, anxiety, or anger can affect communication by influencing how messages are conveyed or received.  Recognizing and managing emotions, creating a supportive and empathetic environment, and promoting active listening can help address emotional barriers.   For those who want to grow as leaders, be coachable!  Have an attitude that welcomes communication.  Prove you are adapting by what you say and do.

Technology

Issues related to technology, such as poor audio quality, connectivity problems, or unfamiliarity with communication tools, can hinder effective communication, especially in remote or virtual settings.  Ensuring proper technical setup, providing training and support for communication tools, and having backup communication channels can minimize technological barriers.  Be sure those communications designed for reference audiences can be found and used!!!!

As with everything, there are pros and cons to sources of noise and static.  You can choose to use awareness of them for good by mitigating them to make messages clearer and more transparent or by manipulating them for nefarious reasons (in which case, you might call them ‘opportunities’ instead of ‘noise’ or ‘static’.)  In the end, they are present, and they impact communication in every form.