Barriers to Communication

Barriers to Communication

Content

• Barriers to Communication

• Communication issues at the work place

• Challenges in communicating across cultures

Objective

At the end of the session students will be able to

• Identify various barriers to communication

• Recognize the challenges in communicating across cultures

• Discuss appropriate methods for overcoming communication barriers

Communication Barriers

A Communication barrier is anything that prevents from receiving and understanding the message as intended by the sender.

The barriers can be external, internal, or a combination of the two

Types of Communication Barriers

Gender

Cultural

Psychological/Attitudinal

Perception

Physical environment

Organizational

Semantic

Semantic Barrier

Misunderstanding of words and symbols used in communication

Reasons:

• Misinterpretation of verbal expression

• Poor vocabulary

• Poor grammar and punctuation

• Redundancy

• Lack of common language

Physical Barriers

An environmental and natural condition that acts as a barrier in Communication

Reasons:

• Noise

• Time

• Distance

• Age

• Work design

• Information flow

Socio-Psychological Barrier

Incongruity in needs and feelings are the barriers to the effective and systematic communication between two individuals

Reasons:

• Attitudes and values

• Selective perception

• Inference

• Emotion

• Change resistance

• Information overload

• Cultural factors

Cultural Barrier

Arises from misinterpretation and misunderstanding while communicating, mediating and negotiating among people from different culture

Reasons:

• Language

• Non-verbal gestures

• Space relationships

• Ethnicity

• Religious factors

• Social differences

Organizational Barrier

It is the hindrance in the flow of information among the employees that might result in a commercial failure of an organization.

Reasons:

• Status

• One-way flow of communication

• Structure of the organization

• Organization rules and regulations

Interpersonal Barrier

Stems from inappropriate transactions of words between two or more people

Reasons:

• Limited vocabulary

• Inconsistency of verbal and non-verbal messages

• Attitude

• Goal conflicts

• Poor health

• Emotional outburst

Gender Barrier

The barrier arises from different ways of thinking and communicating among the genders

Reasons:

• Men: Communication tends to focus on the content discussion – verbal dimension, what is said

• Female: Communication tends to focus on relational discussion nonverbal cues, how it is said

Gender Stereotype

Men	Female
Logical	Feeling
Power centric	Relationship centric
Competitive	Accommodating
Independent	Dependent
Provider	Nurturer

Stereotype: It is a widely held but fixed image or idea of a particular idea, person or thing

Communication Problems at the Work-place

Good communication practice is the heart of every successful business. Without successful internal communication, work processes slow down or grind to a halt and customers are not served properly.

Misinterpretations & Assumptions

• Poor listening skills

• Lack of factual communication

Lack of standards

• Cultural barriers

• Mixing work and personal communication

Failure to disperse communication

• Attitude

• Lack of follow through

Aspects for Good Conversation Across Cultures

• Slow down

• Avoid negative questions

• Be supportive

• Check meanings

• Avoid colloquial speech

• Watch the humor

• Maintain etiquette

Ways to Overcome Communication Barriers

• Clear, concise, courteous and correct communication

• Good organization structure

• Empathetic listening

• Avoid judgement

• Good interpersonal relationship

• Seek and offer feedback

• Choice of right medium/channel

• Use of appropriate language

Summary

• Developing good communication skills helps one develop better business relationships

• An organization has to establish communication standards in order to bring consistency in the work flow

• Aspects for good conversation across culture varies

• Organizations have to foster an open communication climate in order to grow

• A global employee needs to learn quickly and adapt to new culture

References

• Hory Sankar Mukerjee, (2013), Business Communication, Oxford University Press, New Delhi

• http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/business-communication/4-different-types-of-barriers-to-effective-communication/1004/

• http://effectivecommunicationadvice.com/barriers

• https://www.skillsyouneed.com/ips/barrierscommunication.html

• https://global.duke.edu/sites/de...

• https://worldofintrospect.wordpress.com/2008/11/10/barriers-in-the- workplace

• www.slideshare.net/tvenkadesh/cross-communication

Disclaimer

All data and content provided in this presentation are taken from the reference books, internet – websites and links, for informational purposes only.