Barriers to Communication

What is Communication
Communication is the activity of conveying meaningful
information. It requires a sender, a message, and an intended
recipient. The communication process is complete once the
receiver has understood the sender and provides the feedback.
COMMUNICATION IS THE ART OF TRANSMITTING KNOWLEDGE,
IDEAS, INFORMATION AND THOUGHTS
FROM ONE PERSON TO ANOTHER.
THE TRANSFER SHOULD BE SUCH THAT
THE RECEIVER UNDERSTANDS
THE MEANING AND THE INTENT OF THE MESSAGE
AND GIVE PROPER FEEDBACK

Barriers to Communication
No matter how good the
communication system in an
organization is, unfortunately
barriers can and do often occur.
These barriers are those which
make the message doubtful for
the reader to understand it and
they get confuse to interpret the
meaning for which the message
is sent to them.

Physical Barriers
The major physical
barriers are:
 Time
 Place
 Noise
 Space
Some of them are easy to
Alter whereas, some may
prove to be tough
obstacles in the process of
effective communication.

Time
Time has an important
role in a communication
process.

Place
The place or the location where a communication
process takes place can degenerate into a barrier to
effective communication.

Noise
Noise is a physical barrier to effective
communication. Noise may have its origin from an
external source or may exist even in the
communication loop.

 Physical noise (outside disturbance)
 Psychological noise (inattentiveness)
 Written noise (bad handwriting/typing)
 Visual noise (late arrival of employees)
Noise

Space
Closed office doors, barrier screens and
separate areas for people of different status
results in creating a barrier to effective
communication.

Example:
If you are in a hurry, trying to catch
the bus or train, you may not take the
time to listen very well to those trying to
communicate with you. If you are tired
and have a headache, you may also not
want to listen to others. Or, when you
are using a cell phone, there may be
background noise that creates a
challenge when trying to communicate.

How to Overcome
Physical Barriers
???

How to Overcome
Physical Barriers
???
For Physical Barriers-
Appropriate Seating Arrangement
Ensure Visibility & Audibility
Environmental Comfort
Minimize Visual/Oral Distractions

Perceptual Barriers
We all see the world
differently !
We all have our own
preferences, values,
attitudes, origins
and life experiences
that act as ‘filters’
on our experiences
of people, events
and information.

Types of Perceptual Barriers
Difference in Understanding

Difference in Perception of Reality

Differences in Values, Attitudes and Opinions

Example:
If your friend is quiet,
you may assume that he/she
is frustrated with you.

How
To
Overcome
Perceptual
Barriers?

Solution !!!
 Start by listening to others.
 Clarify if there is confusion.
 Stay calm and be positive.
An attitude of good will and
tolerance toward others goes
a long way--even if you
miscommunicate or do not
like another's words or
actions.

Emotional Barriers
The emotional state may
influence your capacity to
make yourself understood
and hamper your
understanding of others.
Many times, emotional
barriers on your part or the
part of the person you are
speaking with may inhibit
your ability to
communicate on an
effective level.

FEAR/
INSECURITY
MISTRUST
STRESS

Example:
If you don’t get along
with a classmate, you
may view anything they
may say negatively.

How To
Overcome
Emotional
Barriers
???

Solution !!!
Be aware of the
feelings that
arise in yourself
and in others as
you
communicate,
and attempt to
control them.

Cultural Barriers
Cultures provide
people ways of
thinking--ways of
seeing, hearing, and
interpreting the
world. Thus the same
words can mean
different things to
people from different
cultures, even when
they talk the "same"
language.

Each culture has its own
rules about proper
behavior which affect
verbal and nonverbal
communication.
Whether one looks the other
person in the eye-or not;
how close the people stand
to each other when they are
talking; etc--all of these
and many more are rules of
politeness which differ
from culture to culture.

Example:
You may be trying to help a
person in line at the cafeteria
who is not originally from
Canada, and therefore just
learning the currency.

How to Overcome
Cultural Barriers ???

Solution !!!
Help may be needed
through a cross
cultural consultant
who will show teams
and individuals how to
manage
communication and
work together more
cohesively and
productively.

Language Barriers
o Inability to converse in a
language that is known by
both the sender and
receiver is the greatest
barrier to effective
communication.
o When a person uses
inappropriate words while
conversing or writing, it
could lead to
misunderstanding between
the sender and a receiver.

Example:
Text message:
“u wanna g2 mll l8r”
(Do you want to go to
the mall later?)

How to Overcome Language
Barriers ???

Solution !!!
 Learn the language
 Use simple language
 Symbols & Charts
 Hire an interpreter
 Carry a translating dictionary
 Listen actively
 Instead of trying to communicate with
hand signs and offend them, research
some different signs that mean
something polite and respectful

Gender Barriers
This barrier arises
because men and
women have
different ways of
thinking and
communication.

How To Overcome Gender
Barriers???

Solution !!!
The process of
bridging the gap in
gender
communication
requires a great deal
of patience and
understanding that
only time and
attention will teach.

CONCLUSION
Working on improving your
communications is a broad-brush
activity. You have to change your
thoughts, your feelings, and your
physical connections.
That way, you can break down the
barriers that get in your way and start
building relationships that really
work.

by: Judy-Ann A. Tulao
Thank You !

Barriers to Communication

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