Rosso's Communication Breakdown

There are many different problems for Americans conducting business internationally. There can be communications breakdowns, cultural barriers, language barriers, and even problems with the way our gestures are perceived in foreign counties. These problems are not always with the way that others try to communicate with us, but how we are perceived by the foreign business. If the foreign business looks at how we communicate with each other and sees that there are internal problems, they are less likely to want to conduct business with us for fear that we will treat them the same way.

Communication Breakdown

In Rosso’s article, Communication Breakdown (2014), “there are three primary reasons why managers often fail at communicating their message”

If they sense that we do not care for their ideas, or are not listening, they will feel they are unneeded and we do not desire their input. “When managers don’t allocate the proper amount of time to listen to the person who is speaking to them, that person assumes managers don’t care what they think” (Rosso, 2014). The perception an employee also has to do with the lack of relationship we have or do not have with the employees.

Lack of Relationship

We need to foster a relationship with our employees and foreign business partners. When we fail to do so, they do not feel the need to communicate with us since we do not see the need to speak with them. Rosso (2014) states, “employees who think their managers only speak to them when situations compel them to are never going to communicate well with you” (36).

Lack of confidence

“Don’t let the fear of making a mistake rob you of the courage to suggest new ideas or try new techniques” (Rosso, 2014). If we lack confidence, those under and around us will see that and will feel we are not “taking action”. In international business that can be the difference in making the deal or losing a multimillion dollar contract. This also leads us to different barriers in

Speak slowly and clearly. We need to remember to always speak slowly and clearly. If we rush through what we are trying to communicate, there can be major misunderstandings. When that happens it takes more time to fix the confusion than it did to cause it. Berardo (2007) states to “focus on clearly enunciating and slowing down your speech. Even if you’re pressured for time, don’t rush through your communication”.

Ask for clarification. No one understands everything completely 100% of the time. Make sure that if you do not understand, or if others do not understand you, that you are polite in either asking for clarification or in give it. Clarification can clear up any misunderstanding that might have happened.

Frequently check for understanding. Berardo (2007) states that “checking both that you’ve understood what’s been said and that others have fully understood you”. In order to do this, asking open-ended questions helps to clear the meaning and gives you a way to check to make sure others are understanding what you are requiring them to