Barriers to Effective Communication
DE McFarland has defined communication as the process of meaningful interaction between human beings. More specifically, it is the process by which meanings are perceived and understandings reached between human beings. But there may be some failures/barriers in the communication system that prevent the message from reaching the receiver, these barriers are as follows:-
1. Language barrier; – Different languages, vocabulary, accent, dialect represent a national/regional barrier. Semantic spaces are words that have a similar pronunciation but multiple meanings such as round; poorly expressed message, misinterpretation, and unqualified assumptions. The use of difficult or inappropriate words/misexplained or misunderstood messages can result in confusion.
2. Cultural barriers: – Age, education, gender, social status, economic status, cultural background, temperament, health, beauty, popularity, religion, political beliefs, ethics, values, motives, assumptions, aspirations, rules/regulations, standards, priorities can separate one person from another and create a barrier.
3. Individual barrier: – It can be the result of the personal and perceptual discomfort of an individual. Even when two people have experienced the same event, their mental perception may or may not be identical, which acts as a barrier. Style, selective perception, halo effect, poor attention and retention, defensiveness, closed-mindedness, insufficient filtering are the individual or psychological barrier.
4. Organizational Barrier: – Includes culture, climate, strict rules, regulations, status, relationship, complexity, inadequate facilities/opportunities for growth and improvement of the Poor Organization; while; The nature of the internal and external environment, such as large work areas physically separated from others, poor lighting, staff shortages, outdated equipment, and background noise, are physical organizational barriers.
5. Interpersonal barrier: – The employers’ barriers are: – Lack of trust in employees; Lack of awareness of non-verbal cues such as facial expression, body language, gestures, posture, eye contact; different experiences; shortage of time for employees; no consideration for employee needs; desire to capture authority; fear of losing the power of control; avoidance and information overload, while Employee Barriers include Lack of Motivation, lack of cooperation, trust, fear of punishment and poor relationship with the employer.
6. Attitudinal Barrier: – Arises as a result of problems with the organization’s staff. Limitation in physical and mental capacity, intelligence, understanding, preconceived notions, and distrustful source divide attention and create a mechanical barrier that affects attitude and opinion.
7. Channel barrier: – If the duration of the communication is long or the selected medium is inappropriate, the communication may be broken; it can also be the result of interpersonal conflicts between the sender and the receiver; lack of interest in communicating; problems of exchange or access to information that can hinder the channel and affect clarity, precision and efficiency.
To communicate effectively, one needs to overcome these barriers. Working to break the barrier is a wide-ranging activity and there are certain measures here.
DO TO BREAK THE BARRIER:
– Allow employees access to resources, self-expression and idea generation.
– Express your expectations to others.
– Use fewer absolute words like “never”, “always”, “forever”, etc.
– Be a good listener, attentive and active.
– Correctly filter the information before passing it on to another person.
– Try to establish a channel of communication and eliminate intermediaries.
– Use specific and precise words that audiences can easily understand.
– Try and see situations through the speaker’s eyes.
– The attitude of “you” should be used on all occasions.
– Maintain eye contact with the speaker and make them feel comfortable.
– Write the instructions if the information is very detailed or complicated.
– Oral communication must be clear and without much accent.
– Avoid word miscommunication and semantic noise.
– Ask for clarification, repetition where necessary.
– Make the organizational structure more flexible, dynamic and transparent.
– Foster a cordial relationship that strengthens coordination between superior and subordinate.
– Focus on useful and well-focused communication.
– The communication message must be clear and practical.
– Obtain adequate comments.
DO NOT DO TO BREAK THE BARRIER:
– Be a Selective Listener, this is when one person listens to another but chooses not to listen to what is said by choice or desire to hear some other message.
– Be a “Fixer”, a fixer is a person who tries to find the fault of another person.
– Be a dreamer.
– Use a long chain of command for communication.
– Use too many technical jargons.
– Jump to conclusions immediately.
– Interrupt speakers and distract you by asking too many irrelevant questions.