“We need better communication” is a common response when asking people in an organization what needs to improve. It could be that people are seeking an improvement in communication behavior.
Defensive Communication Behavior
Evaluative: indicating an idea or worth of a person is subject to judgment good or bad
Control: perceived effort to manipulate
Strategy: deluding a group member
Neutrality: cold and impersonal
Superiority: using intelligence or experience to talk down to others
Certainty: a “know it all” attitude
Supportive Communication Behavior
Descriptive: genuine request for information or taking an objective viewpoint
Problem orientation: a “we” approach of collaborating to find a solution
Spontaneity: willingness to suspend judgment
Empathy: expressing concern by sharing the feelings
Equality: indicated mutual trust and respect
Provisionalism: looking at options to explore thoughts and ideas