In addition to technical barriers, there may be systemic barriers in your organization that prevent effective communication. Learn 3 major barriers and how managers can overcome them.

1. Debbie Narver, BSc MBA MScIB
Strategic Management Instructor at NMC Strategic Manager
How Managers Can Overcome 3 Systemic Barriers
to Effective Communication

2. Why is it difficult to have effective
communication in the workplace?
It seems to be a
common complaint in
all types and sizes of
organizations - even
when we are making
the effort.

3. Short Term Technical versus Systemic Barriers
I will introduce both, but focus
more on the latter:
What long standing, and perhaps
unconscious barriers might be
impacting communication in your
organization?
And how can you overcome them?

4. How much communication do we need?
Even when we believe we are doing extensive
communication, some may think it’s not enough.
While others may think it’s too much. Information
overload!
So it’s not so much about the amount, but rather having
EFFECTIVE communication in the workplace.

5. Factors that influences effectiveness
• Quality and clarity of the message
• Quality and suitability of the delivery medium
• Receptiveness and ability of the recipient to
process information

6. Receptiveness can be influenced by the
recipients learning style
People learn differently.
Verbal, visual, written,
demonstrated….. We each
comprehend and absorb
messages differently based
on alignment with our
preferred style.

7. Complexity and stress can make
communication more difficult
Constant change
Hierarchies, distance between departments
Distributed workforce
“missing links” in communication channels
Information overload
Competing priorities (distractions)

8. Systemic Barriers to Communication
• Beyond these technical issues with communication,
there are potentially barriers within your
organization.
• These can be based on historic practices and
embedded in culture
• Because it’s always been this way, you may not be
aware!

9. Here’s what I
believe are 3 major
systemic barriers to
effective
communication,
and what managers
can do to overcome
them.

10. Barrier #1: Focusing on one-way (my way!)
Communication involves both a sender and a
receiver.
As the sender, we may focus on what we want from
others.
We carefully craft our message, send it out and
expect results.
But how do we know that it has been properly
received and understood?

11. Solution #1: Two way communication
• Incorporate methods for feedback from the
receiver.
• Confirm that the message was understood.
• Allow for questions and clarification.
• You may learn something new and valuable!

12. Barrier #2
Failing to consider the environment

13. In a perfect world, you all sit around
the table in a quiet room.
But in reality, most workplaces have physical
challenges that can impact communication.
• Do you have a noisy machines?
• Are there visual distractions?
• Does your audience need to keep their attention on
tasks while simultaneously listening to you talk?

14. And if you are in a large and dispersed organization,
it can be difficult to reach everyone.

15. Solution #2: Plan different approaches for
different needs and situations
Use a variety different
communication tools and
channels to get your
message across effectively.
And chances are, you may
need to use different
approaches with different
groups.

16. Barrier #3: A History of “closed” culture
• To encourage meaningful communication, we need
to invite open & honest dialogue between all levels.
• Employees need to feel that their input is valued.
• If there has been a history of people being labelled
as “trouble makers” for bringing up difficult issues,
chances are that employees will keep concerns to
themselves, perhaps festering and affecting morale.

17. Solution #3: Building Trust
This is perhaps the most
difficult and time
consuming barrier to
overcome. It requires a
cultural shift to encourage
diverse perspectives and
expressing differences of
opinion.

18. Implement Change: Set Goals, Plan and
Monitor Results
Like any other change,
improving communication
takes good planning and
implementation.
• Break down your goals
• Review frequently
• Adapt as you go

19. Learn more about Strategic Management
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