Åsa Borin: The importance of communication

Teaching, research and collaboration are based on dialogue, critical thinking and shared understanding. At the same time, communication is often the first to come under pressure when everyday life becomes complex. In my experience, when friction arises over various issues within the university, it is rarely due to a lack of commitment – but more often because we are not quite on the same page when it comes to communication.

It is not necessarily a case of us communicating too little. On the contrary, communication is constantly taking place: in meetings, emails, decision-making documents and informal conversations. It takes place between academia and administration, between disciplines, and between management and operations. But we do so from different roles, traditions and ways of speaking. What appears to one person as a clear decision may be perceived by another as unclear, distant or difficult to relate to their own role. In such cases, there is a risk of us talking past each other rather than to each other.

Good communication is about more than simply providing information. It is about creating a shared understanding. Such understanding emerges through dialogue, through the opportunity to ask questions, and through transparency regarding both the choices made and the difficulties encountered. It requires listening, curiosity and, at times, patience – the courage to ask follow-up questions, to explore the answers further and to acknowledge when something is not entirely clear.

Good communication within the university is therefore not about simplifying the complex, but about making it understandable. It requires time, mutual respect and a willingness to listen beyond one’s own position. Individuals in leadership positions have a particularly important role to play in creating the conditions and forums for this – but the responsibility lies with all of us.
So when there is friction over an issue, it is often wise to start right there, with communication. Not to eliminate all differences of opinion, but to create a shared understanding. Only then can disagreement become constructive and lead to progress.

This text is written by Åsa Borin, University Director. It appears in the section ”Words from the University’s senior management team”, where the management team take turns to write about topical issues. The section appears in every edition of News for staff.