Working together.

Abstract

Good communication and interpersonal relationships are imperative to overall business performance and sustainability. Most managers understand the need to improve various facets of their business management practices. However, these two areas tend to be neglected or minimized in terms of their importance. Peter Drucker, often called the father of modern management, once said that 60 percent of all management problems are the result of poor communication. While poor business decisions can cause ultimate failure of a business, I have witnessed many closely held businesses torn apart and ultimately fail because of communication and relationship problems. Unless there is a major blow up, most outside observers never realize the underlying cause of the problems that manifest themselves in poor business performance. This article discusses what I see as the five most common communication and relationship problems.