A communication breakdown can happen anywhere in the chain. The message sent is not always the message received. One supervisor might tell you one thing, and a different supervisor might tell you another. So start by mirroring the key points of their question. Mirroring is the perfect way to show you're actively listening and contributes to enhanced communication. From there, emphasize the value of effective communication, and elaborate on your personal approach.

Consistency and follow-through are integral to functional communication operations. An employee might confirm they understand the task they're to complete but fail to communicate they've completed the task. Offer an example of a time you identified a communication breakdown and describe what you did to correct it without assigning direct blame or casting anyone in a negative light. Objectifying the situation, rather than a person, is the aim here.

"I adapt. Often, the most important thing in those situations is simply to establish a mutual understanding. If they can adapt their communication to yours, or at least meet you halfway, that's great! But don't expect that to happen. So I ask questions and clarify as much as possible. I'm an over communicator, which can be frustrating for those who aren't great communicators. But when communication is poor, someone's got to pick up the slack. When I identify the need, I do what I can."