7 Communication Mistakes You Might Be Making and How to Fix Them

Human relationships are built on communication, yet many of us have daily difficulties with it. Relationships in both our personal and professional lives can be built or destroyed by the way we communicate and understand people. Mistakes in communication can result in misunderstandings, dissatisfaction, or an emotional disconnection even when the best intentions are used. This article will discuss 7 typical communication errors you may be making and offer solutions based on scientific evidence to help you communicate more effectively and, eventually, feel better mentally.

Understanding the Brain’s Focus Mechanism

Speaking alone is not enough for effective communication; comprehension, empathy, and clarity are also necessary. For a long time, researchers have underscored the significance of communication in establishing connections and maintaining psychological well-being. A lack of communication can cause anxiety, depressive symptoms, and even feelings of loneliness. Relationships can be strengthened, and interactions are made more satisfying by learning to recognize and correct frequent faults. Let’s examine the seven most typical mistakes people make when communicating.

The 7 Communication Mistakes

1. Not Listening Actively

One of the most common mistakes in communication is not listening with full attention. Many people listen with the intent to reply, rather than understand. According to research by Brownell (2013), active listening involves not only hearing the words but also processing the underlying emotions and intent. This failure to listen often leads to miscommunication and frustration.

How to Fix It: Practice active listening by fully focusing on the speaker. Maintain eye contact, minimize distractions, and use verbal and non-verbal cues to show you are engaged. Ask clarifying questions and summarize what the other person has said before responding to ensure you have understood correctly.

2. Using Ambiguous Language

Ambiguity in communication creates room for misinterpretation. If you’re unclear in what you’re saying, the listener may fill in the gaps incorrectly. According to studies, misunderstandings are often caused by the use of unclear language, especially in high-stress environments (Sacks, 2018).

How to Fix It: Be precise and straightforward in your communication. Avoid using jargon or vague terms, and ensure your message is clear. Reiterate key points and ask the other person if they have any questions to clarify what was said.

3. Interrupting Others

Interrupting during a conversation signals that you aren’t interested in what the other person is saying. It can make people feel disrespected and unheard, creating distance in the relationship. According to a study published in Psychological Science, interruptions disrupt the flow of conversation and can lead to resentment (Gordon, 2017).

How to Fix It: Practice patience and allow the other person to finish their thought before responding. Pausing for a few seconds before speaking shows respect for their input and promotes a healthier dialogue.

4. Not Considering Non-Verbal Cues

Communication isn’t just about words—it’s also about body language. Studies suggest that up to 93% of communication is non-verbal (Mehrabian, 2018). Crossing your arms, avoiding eye contact, or fidgeting while someone is speaking can send unintended negative signals.

How to Fix It: Be mindful of your non-verbal cues. Open body language, such as uncrossing your arms, leaning slightly forward, and making consistent eye contact, conveys that you are engaged and interested in the conversation.

5. Focusing on “Winning” the Argument

Many people approach conversations, particularly disagreements, with the goal of “winning” rather than finding common ground. This can lead to defensiveness, hostility, and an escalation of conflict. Research shows that when the goal is to dominate the conversation, the result is usually emotional disconnect (Gottman, 2014).

How to Fix It: Shift your focus from “winning” to understanding the other person’s point of view. Use “I” statements to express your feelings and avoid accusatory language. Prioritize empathy and compromise rather than domination in conversations.

6. Overloading with Negative Feedback

While constructive criticism is necessary, too much negative feedback can overwhelm the listener and make them defensive. According to the “Feedback Sandwich” approach, balancing criticism with positive reinforcement can make feedback more digestible and productive (Cromwell & Kolb, 2015).

How to Fix It: Use the 5:1 ratio recommended by the Gottman Institute, which suggests offering five positive comments for every piece of criticism. Frame feedback in a way that is helpful, not hurtful, by highlighting what the person is doing right before pointing out areas for improvement.

7. Failing to Adapt Communication Styles

Different people have different communication preferences, and failing to adapt to these styles can create friction. A study by Higgins (2015) suggests that communication styles vary depending on personality traits, cultural backgrounds, and even professions.

How to Fix It: Pay attention to the communication style of the person you’re speaking with. If they prefer a more direct approach, mirror that. If they value emotional connection, adjust your style to be more empathetic. Flexibility in communication makes it easier to connect with others effectively.

Improving Communication for Better Mental Health

Being able to communicate well is essential for mental health; it goes beyond simple social skills. Mistakes in communication can result in anxiety, dissatisfaction, and misunderstandings, all of which can have long-term emotional effects. The American Psychological Association (APA) argues that there is a connection between increased stress, anxiety, and even depression, and poor communication (APA, 2020).

Your relationships and mental health will much improve if you recognize and fix these typical errors. Active listening, message clarification, and style adjustment are all important skills for developing empathy and understanding, which lowers conflict and improves emotional well-being.

Conclusion

Social interaction is fundamentally based on communication, and how we communicate with people has a direct effect on our mental and emotional health. You may enhance your mental well-being, reduce stress, and create stronger, healthier relationships by identifying and fixing these seven mistakes in communication.  Begin by paying attention to your body language, speaking clearly, and listening actively. These minor adjustments can have a big impact on your communication and general well-being with some practice.

References

American Psychological Association. (2020). Stress and mental health: The role of communication. APA.

Brownell, J. (2013). Listening: Attitudes, principles, and skills (5th ed.). Pearson Education.

Cromwell, C., & Kolb, J. (2015). The feedback sandwich: Improving communication in the workplace. Journal of Communication Studies.

Gordon, S. (2017). Interrupting conversations: The negative effects on relationships. Psychological Science, 28(4), 456-463.

Gottman, J. (2014). What predicts divorce? The relationship between marital processes and marital outcomes. Psychological Assessment.

Higgins, M. (2015). Adapting communication styles for effective interaction. Communication Research, 32(2), 124-139.

Mehrabian, A. (2018). Silent messages: Implicit communication of emotions and attitudes. Wadsworth Publishing.

Sacks, H. (2018). Understanding language ambiguity in communication. Linguistic Analysis Journal, 19(3), 231-249.