Misinterpretation is a major deterrent to fair communication. A lack of understanding of a context can lead to misunderstanding and affect interpersonal relations. We all come from different cultures and social strata. Understanding cultural nuances is vital to acknowledge sensitivities around beliefs, customs, and traditions and avoid misinterpretation. Things labelled as taboo in certain societies can be a social conviction on the other side of the world. Communication is crucial in understanding cultural sensitivities to avoid unfair judgements and conflicts. I recently witnessed a heated debate in a private forum about a joke. One group member took offence to a prank and called it out as ‘awful’. The sender clarified that his intentions were not to offend anybody and that what he said was pure humour. However, the guy continued to denounce it and asked other forum members to do so. The argument soon flared into name calling, and the admin had to intervene to stop the dispute from accelerating further.
This incident is a classic case of perils of misinterpretation and why such matters require mature handling. I did not find anything offensive in that joke. The guy who took offence in the first place misunderstood the context of it. However, instigating others to feel the same way was an unfair call and reflects his lack of understanding and maturity. He could have expressed his feelings directly instead of shaming the other guy on the forum. The admin could have intervened before the verbal spat turned into a nasty conflict. I hope the duo will resolve their argument and the forum will enforce some ground rules to avoid such incidents in future without curtailing the freedom of expression.
Incomprehension is the biggest challenge to clear communication. We have seen incidences where brands faced sharp criticism for their advertisements due to misinterpretation. Though we cannot control how the audience perceives the brand message, there are ways to minimise the risk of conflicts arising due to miscommunication. The first step is to understand the nuances of the society. Be mindful of the preferences of the target audience. Sarcasm is a great way to communicate with people, but it can backfire if done at the wrong time. Certain societies are conservative and are not ready for bold stands on culturally sensitive issues. Hence, be careful while infusing modern ideas among audiences as they might view them negatively. Another way to avoid misinterpretation is to provide context and purpose of your message. Keep your communication simple and provide references wherever necessary.
Interpersonal skills play a crucial role in resolving conflicts arising out of miscommunication. Be open to hearing the other side even if you disagree with the point of view. Keep your emotions aside and try to be rational as much as possible. Avoid using sharp words/ criticism as they can damage relationships forever. People can have extreme options on issues they stand for. However, no one likes to be insulted in public forums. Some people can get overwhelmed in such situations. Hence, keep your tone calm and respectful towards the other person. Leaders play significant roles in resolving such situations by fostering the culture of free speech along with mutual respect among team/group members. There is no harm in reaching out to people in private and resolving the conflict with discussion. Be mindful of boundaries and decorum of the public forum.
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