This document discusses various barriers to effective communication. It defines communication as the exchange of facts, ideas, opinions or emotions between two or more people. [1] It then examines organizational barriers like rules, status, and complex structures; semantic barriers due to ambiguous language; and psychological barriers such as distrust and self-satisfaction that exist between superiors and subordinates. [2] Overcoming barriers to communication requires understanding their various types, including personal barriers and problems arising from poor medium or tone. Only by identifying communication barriers can organizations address and remove hindrances to open exchange. [3]