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.