3. Constraints to communication

There are times when communication falls down and misunderstandings occur. This is natural and should not be a cause for concern especially when you are equipped with the communication skills to overcome them. 

Here are some situations where this may occur:

Non-verbal language also referred to as body language

There may be times when a complicated or difficult situation will cause an AHA to express physically their unease. They may be feeling threatened or defensive about the potential conflict. If you take care to note the following body language detailed below, you may be able to defuse a potentially difficulty situation:

• failure to make eye contact
• turning away from a person as they walk past
• folded arms
• folded legs
• clenched fists
• dismissive waving of hands
• rude gesturing

What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Verbal language

When people are faced with a difficult or conflicting situation, this may change the way they speak to other people. Words may be used to directly challenge a person or situation, alternatively, they may avoid the conversation altogether, or direct the conversation away from the topics that cause them discomfort, or subtly deviate away from the people they believe caused the conflict.