Experts Outline 12 Communication Habits to Leave Behind in 2026

Improving how we communicate can strengthen relationships and support wellbeing, say communication scholars. Meredith Harrigan, a professor in the department of communication at the State University of New York at Geneseo, notes that communication is a skill to practice rather than an innate ability. Drawing on guidance from several experts, this report summarizes 12 common communication habits professionals and the public are advised to stop in 2026 and why.

The habits outlined below reflect recurrent problems observed by communication researchers and instructors. Each entry includes the core issue and practical guidance offered by the experts.

• Over-relying on AI. During 2025 many messages began to sound alike, with social posts, emails and even dating app openers becoming polished but interchangeable. Audra Nuru, a professor of communication studies and family studies at the University of St. Thomas, says such messages can feel automated and distant. Her recommendation: use AI tools as brainstorming partners rather than substitutes for your own voice, so messages retain the quirks and warmth that signal a real person is behind them.
• Leaving people on read. Silent read receipts can create anxiety and uncertainty. Nuru calls this the texting disappearing act and advises simple, timely acknowledgements such as “I saw this, and I’ll respond when I can.” That approach maintains continuity without requiring immediate availability.
• Breadcrumbing. Occasional attention without follow-through keeps the other person emotionally invested while preventing meaningful commitment. Nuru notes this pattern causes prolonged uncertainty and distress, and she recommends prioritizing clarity—even if it is uncomfortable—over keeping someone on standby.
• Minimizing others’ concerns. Harrigan observes a tendency, especially among students, to downplay problems with phrases like “It’s not as bad as you think.” That response often comes from a desire to avoid conflict, but it can invalidate another person’s experience. Harrigan suggests pausing and asking questions to understand the other person’s perspective before offering advice.
• Making video calls in public. Bringing intimate or personal conversations into shared public spaces can make bystanders reluctant participants. Harrigan advises considering surroundings and whether a setting is appropriate before engaging in a private video call.
• Skipping pleasantries. Jumping straight into tasks in emails or messages can make interactions feel transactional and cold. A brief greeting or a short personal line at the start of a message helps maintain rapport and signals respect for the recipient.
• Text-trapping friends. Asking an open-ended question designed to elicit a favor after the other person indicates availability can create ethical discomfort. Harrigan recommends being upfront about motives to avoid putting others on the spot.
• Filling all silences. An impulse to fill pauses can lead to thoughtless remarks and regretted promises. Harrigan encourages becoming comfortable with silence and, when unsure what to say, acknowledging it directly. Statements like “I’m pausing because I really don’t know the best thing to say” can be more constructive than immediate filler.
• Gunnysacking. Accumulating grievances and unleashing them in a single outburst damages relationships, Jimmie Manning, a professor of communication studies at the University of Nevada, warns. He recommends addressing issues promptly and reflecting on whether minor annoyances are worth escalating—the so-called “price of admission” for many social relationships.
• Misdiagnosing conflict. Manning notes a trend of using clinical or diagnostic language—such as calling someone a narcissist or claiming gaslighting—without accurate context. This “therapy speak” can stigmatize mental-health terms and shut down constructive conversations. He urges focusing on the underlying feelings and tensions rather than applying labels that escalate the dispute.
• Framing hurtful words as honesty. Presenting cutting remarks as “just being honest” can be a shield for unnecessary hurt. Nuru recommends pausing to consider whether a candid comment is necessary, timely and appropriate coming from you. Slowing down helps determine whether honesty will promote understanding or simply cause pain.
• Struggling to hold differences. Some people conflate closeness with agreement, treating differing viewpoints as threats. Nuru highlights that relationships can hold multiple perspectives and that openness to hearing another view does not require changing one’s mind. Encouraging exploration rather than debate helps preserve connection in the presence of difference.

These recommendations emphasize mindfulness, clarity and the value of human presence in ordinary interactions. The experts argue that small adjustments—acknowledging messages, asking clarifying questions, and resisting the urge to mask one’s voice with templates—can reduce misunderstandings and strengthen connections.

Harrigan underscores that communication is a practice. By being deliberate about what to leave behind, individuals can make incremental changes that improve both professional and personal relationships in 2026.

Key Topics

Communication Habits To Stop, Over-relying On Ai, Leaving People On Read, Breadcrumbing In Relationships, Minimizing Others' Concerns, Making Video Calls In Public, Skipping Pleasantries In Messages, Text-trapping Friends, Filling Conversational Silences, Gunnysacking In Relationships, Misdiagnosing Conflict, Framing Hurtful Words As Honesty, Holding Differences In Relationships, Mindful Communication Practices