Communication climate control is critical to the likelihood of effective communication in all arenas. A constructive climate is composed of a pattern of openness and supportiveness. A destructive climate is composed of a pattern of closedness and defensiveness. Although a competitive communication climate is not always destructive, it easily can become so. Hypercompetitiveness mostly strains interpersonal relations, thwarts the creation of teamwork and cohesiveness, reduces achievement and performance, and encourages cheating.

Another key element of communication climates is connecting bids. The turning toward response to connecting bids helps develop a constructive climate, while the turning away and the turning against responses lead to a destructive climate. Not all connecting bids can receive a turning toward response, and in some instances we may not want to connect with another person for very good reasons. When we do want to connect, however, the principal ways to establish a constructive communication climate include emphasizing supportive communication patterns, defusing defensiveness, building interdependence, promoting equality, establishing individual accountability, and developing meaningful participation.