The document categorizes and describes various barriers to effective communication. It identifies semantic, organizational, inter-personal, individual, cross-cultural, physical/technological barriers. Semantic barriers include similar pronunciations with multiple meanings and technical jargon. Organizational barriers involve status differences and incompatible expectations. Inter-personal barriers arise from differences in status, lack of trust between subordinates and superiors, and poor social relationships. Individual barriers include selective perception, inattention, and defensiveness. Cross-cultural barriers relate to differences in language, values, and non-verbal communication. Technological barriers involve lack of knowledge and noise. The document suggests overcoming barriers by fostering relationships, coordination, clarity, feedback,

1. Barriers to
Communication

2. Categorization of Barriers
 Semantic
 Organizational
 Inter-personal
 Individual
 Cross- cultural (Geographic)
 Physical / channel / and media
 Technological

3. Semantic Barriers
Science of meaning - Phonetics science of sound.
Semantics – coding /decoding
• Similar Pronunciation but multiple meaning.
• Badly expressed message – incoherence, poor sentence
structuring and jargons
• Wrong interpretation - Pandit, raja / Rajah
• Unqualified assumption by sender / receiver
• Technical language / jargon

4. Organizational Barriers
Interference from relative status and power of
participants, incompatible needs and expectations
o Organizational culture – impacts freedom and
trust
o Organizational rules and regulations
o Status relationship
o Complexity in organizational structure
o Inadequate facilities and opportunities
o Lack of cooperation between senior and
subordinate.

5. Inter-personal Barriers
Sender and receiver – different economic, educational
and status level
Barrier from Superior
 Shortage of time for employee
 Lack of trust
 Lack of trust for employee’s needs and expectations
 Desire to capture authority by retaining information
 Fear of losing power of control
 Bypassing
 Information overload to employees – missing grain from
chaff.

6. Inter-personal Barriers
Barrier from Subordinate
 Lack of proper channel – how does he convey?
 No interest to communicate
 Lack of cooperation and mutual understanding
 Lack of trust and co-ordination
 Poor social relationship
 Fear of penalty.

7. Individual / Psycho-sociological Barriers
Change?????
Style
 Linguistic accent
 The form of expression
 Level of drama / gestures
 Humour
 Brevity
 Choice of discriminatory or non- discriminatory
communication
 Quality of credibility and charisma

8. Individual / Psycho-sociological Barriers
 Selective Perception – ‘I know it syndrome’, ‘waste of
time’
 Status relationship - – monologues by seniors
 Inattention
 Poor retention
 Undue importance of written words
 Defensiveness to a unpleasant message
 Closed minds – lack of background knowledge.
 State of health – lack of alertness.
 Filtering

9. Cross-cultural / Geographic Barriers
 Language
 Values and norms of behaviour
 Social relationship
 Concept of time
 Concept of space
 Non-verbal communication
 Perception
 National character / basic personality

10. Technological Barriers
 Lack of knowledge of technology
 Advancement in technology
 Noise
 Fear of lack of security

11. Overcoming Barriers
 Fostering good relationships
 Purposeful and well directed /focused
 Co-ordination between superior and
subordinate
 Avoid technical language
 Feed back to avoid selective perception
 Accuracy
 Clarity in message
Contd…..

12. Overcoming Barriers
 Communication of organizational
philosophy
 Flat organizational structure
 Division of labour
 Organizational policies
 Reduction of semantic problems
 Proper communication channels
 Right feed back

13. Sender-Oriented Barriers
Badly expressed message
Rules for overcoming sender-oriented barriers
• Plan and clarify ideas
• Discuss, collate and pre-plan
• Create a climate of trust and confidence
• Empathize, win the trust
• Time your message carefully keep the when and where in mind
• Reinforce words with action harmonious words and actions
• Communicate efficiently solicit(request) feedback

14. Thanks