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Barriers To Communication

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30 views4 pages

Barriers To Communication

Uploaded by

edwardlungu440
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION

Communication is a complex process that requires well coordinated processes. When the
recipient receives a message, what he understands by that message may not be what the
sender meant. This is only one problem encountered in the communication process. Many
problems encountered in business and personal lives result from miscommunication. These
problems are barriers to communication.
DEFINITION
A barrier is any factor that hinders or bars access to effective communication. It can be an
obstacle, impediment etc.
The following are barriers to communication:
1. SYSTEM
In any organization there should be a system that places people in rank order, one above the
other.
A system is also called a hierarchy.
The president is the boss, the vice president answers to the president. The division managers
answer to the vice president. The department heads answer to the division managers, and so
forth.
Without such systems there can be no effective communication.
2. LISTENING
Listening is a skill. It demands careful concentration if communication is to be understood. Poor
listening cost millions a year as a result of lost opportunities e.g. job opportunities, legal
mistakes, and other errors.
Give attention to anyone who has something valid to say. Communication fails because of
selective listening i.e. listening or paying attention to only the things we want to hear.
Under listening as a barrier, communication fails due to:
 The words used.
 How the communication is expressed.
 Our interest in the speaker.
3. PRE-JUDGEMENT
Literally speaking pre-judgment is passing judgment on a case or situation before trial or before
listening to the evidence. It is wrong to understand something just because that is what you
want to hear or based on what you already know or your background knowledge and
experience. This can result in prejudging a message.
Open the mind to what is being communication and not to what you want to hear or what you
think you have heard.
Do not prejudge the speaker based on any factor e.g. appearance, educational background,
socioeconomic status etc.
Do not prejudge the message.
4. LANGUAGE
To effectively communicate it is important to use language well.
Choose the right words bearing in mind that many words have different meanings.
The sender and receiver can have different background knowledge and experience.
These can breakdown communication. When initiating communication the sender should
Choose an appropriate language, so should the receiver when sending feedback.
Always consider the following as they can be barriers to communication:
 Foreign language;
 Regional accents;
 Technical/ specialist language; dialect
5. RELATIONSHIPS
The effectiveness of any communication may depend on our relationship with the sender. If
relationships between people are not good, communication may fail or breakdown altogether.
6. EMOTIONAL RESPONSES
Fear, anger, insecurity etc are emotions that can lead to communication failure.
Communication cannot be effective if a person is highly emotional about the topic concerned.
To overcome this barrier wait until emotions cool down between the sender and the recipient.
7. DISTORTION
Distortion means to alter (change) the true meaning or to misrepresent something (message).
It is important for the sender to encode the message correctly so that the receiver can decode
it as intended by the sender.

8. NON-VERBAL SIGNALS
Facial expressions, gestures, movement, eye contact and nodding the head can provide
feedback where verbal communication is concerned.
Lack of nonverbal signals can be a barrier to communication.
Always match words with nonverbal signals to fortify or add value to your message.
If the words are not matching with nonverbal signals your message will be weakened or totally
lost.

9. OTHER BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION EXIST


Remember that any factor that prevents communication from taking place, or breaks down
communication is a barrier to communication.
a) Physical barriers
These are barriers caused by physical factors e.g. distance and noise.
b) Mental barriers
These are barriers caused by the receiver not knowing how to decode the message. The
message can be beyond his scope.
These barriers can result because the receiver is distracted mentally from attending to
the message.
These barriers result due to the state of the mind of the sender and receiver.
c) Emotional barriers
These barriers can result when there are bad personal relationships between the sender
and the receiver.
Fear and emotional overtones can result in withdrawal of information when conveying
bad news.
Other barriers can include:
 Noise
 Distance
 Wrong choice of medium
 Lack of feedback
 Prejudice

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