Restoring Communication: Change the Lens, Change the Culture

Kristine Goebel
May 23
3 min read

Ever had 2 teammates come to you with the same problem, but two completely different perspectives? One thinks it’s great, the other thinks it’s horrible. Or worse, they’re blaming each other for the issue at hand?

Me, too!

These types of communication breakdowns happen daily in the workplace – multiple times a day. Sometimes it happens out in the open, and other times the issue sits silently in the minds of the people.

Unproductive, unfortunate, and very fixable.

Communication breakdowns account for over 70% of workplace errors.

That’s not just a productivity issue; it’s a relational one.

So the next time two teammates come to you with the same problem, remember: they’re probably seeing different parts of the same picture. Help them step back and see it together. When teammates get to a place of shared understanding, there is room for growth, healing, and transformation.

Perspective and Practical Tips for Making This Your Reality

Keep the Right Perspective

When we look at a situation from the middle, we’re short-sighted. We only see part of the story. The result is that the problem stays a problem, and people are in a place of assumption, frustration, and resentment.

However, when we rise above the situation and see more of the whole picture, it changes for the better. Asking questions, listening, and seeking to understand leads to respect, value, and trust.

We want to help people choose the second path. The healthy road to what’s real, not what’s perceived.

When communication is clear and consistent, collaboration and innovation thrive. Trust grows. And relationships—both at work and at home—get stronger.

Top 3 Practical Tips to Restore Communication

The top 3 ways to improve workplace communication are:

Culture.
Press into your mission, vision, and core values. Correct and compliment based around these areas alone. If you haven’t defined your values clearly yet, start here: Core Values: The Way
Listening.
Practice listening skills with your team. Teach things like eye contact, removing distractions (especially phones), and how to ask open-ended questions. If you want a quick, practical guide for improving your listening skills, watch our YouTube video: Leadership is Listening
Rhythms.
Establish clear and consistent communication rhythms. Make sure meetings have a purpose. Some examples are weekly huddles, check-ins, one-on-ones, team meetings, etc.

When everyone knows how, when, and where communication happens, misunderstandings decrease, and collaboration increases.

Effective communication isn’t just about words. It’s about how we listen, how we give feedback, how we present ideas, and how we adapt to the needs of others. Great leaders excel in both verbal and non-verbal communication. They create environments where people feel seen, heard, and understood.

At the heart of our mission is a simple but powerful truth: we exist to restore workplaces and relationships. We believe that a business doesn’t change itself; people do. And when people experience healthy communication in the workplace, the ripple effects extend beyond the office and into homes, families, and communities.

Take the Free Communication Health Quiz

How well does your team communicate?

Take our free Workplace Communication Health Assessment and get practical insights on where your team is thriving—and what to improve next. You'll walk away with specific action steps to strengthen communication and move your team forward.

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