Chapter-3

Barriers of Communication
By Venkatesh.N Koshys Institute of Management Studies

Barriers of Communication
No matter how good the communication system in an organization is, unfortunately barriers can and do often occur . These barriers are: (or) Communication of barriers are the difficulties involved in the process of communication which distort the message being properly understand by the receiver barriers prevent the communication from being effective

Types of Barriers in Communication:1. Physical 2. Psychological 3Language/semantic 4.Organizational structure barrier 5.Cross-cultural Barriers 6.Overcoming barriers

1.Physical barriers

are often due to the nature of the environment. Thus, for example, the natural barrier which exists, if staff are located in different buildings or on different sites. Likewise, poor or outdated equipment, particularly the failure of management to introduce new technology, may also cause problems. Ex:-Defects in media (letters,courier,fax,) Noise in Environment(Air vibration, people talking, in factory bcoz of noise the oral communication is difficult) Information overload(in Advertisment&sales information is an example of overload)

2.Physiological barriers

result from individuals' personal discomfort, caused, for example, by ill health, poor eye sight or hearing difficulties One meaning of the term psychological barriers is the self limiting beliefs a person may have which in turn affects their behavior - that is ....what they do or don't do as a result of having a self limiting belief.
may

Example for psychological

A person might have a belief that they can't ride a bicycle and carry this belief with them through their life, and as such they would never attempt to ride a bicycle. This belief will usually have been developed as a result of their past experience - they may have tried to ride a bicycle as a young child, perhaps they started to ride but fell off - hurting themselves in the process. If they tried to ride again shortly after the first accident, and subsequently fell off again, hurting themselves, they would perhaps begin to believe that they can't ride a bicycle. And they will hold this belief or psychological barrier until they receive sufficiently strong evidence to change this belief.

PSYCHOLOGICAL BARRIERS

The difference in background is overlooked Economic background Social background Upbringing

PSYCHOLOGICAL BARRIERS

Self-Centred attitude Group identification Self image Selective perception Defensiveness Filtering Status block Resistance to change Closed mind Poor communication skills State of health

Self Centered attitude

In this the individual persons show their attitude or behavior of each persons. In self centered attitude we pay attention to message which is useful or related to us,-if it is not for us than we do not pay enough attention to that message The person who is highly self centered he is fails to build up good relation with others(here we cannot learn more)

Group Identification

In organization our ideas suggestions & opinions are influenced in some matters by the group to which we belong. In family there is different groups that is an the basis of age. There is a conflicts B/W husband & wife because of their age difference as well as different culture.(both are from different culture) In family father says something the children's may nt lizn that word becoz of the age difference.

Self image

Self image is nothing but portray(showing about your self to others Like what your Our own identification with in the organization that is what exactly your. This barriers shows both your +ve(knowingly the work) as well as ve(if you do not know that but acting like that) thing in the organization

Selective perception

This psychological barriers sometime we fail to get the complete message which is sent to us. After getting that message we project our expectation in to the communication as we explain the message Proper media we have to select to send message to the right person(without fail)

Defensiveness

Defensive is nothing but serving for defense. If we feel threatened by a message we become defensive and respond in such ways that reduce understanding. Example:- In organization the sales manager gives threatened(decleared intention to injure) message to his team to reach target than the team will perform well to be safe. This is mainly harmful barrier in handling complaints & grievances(painful or oppressive) in resolving conflicts

Filtering

Filtering is the process of reducing the details (or) unwanted things of a message If sender send the information that we have to change or edit all unwanted information than finally we have to get the actual information to boss he wants results.

Status block

This is the main reason to break information or because of this status barriers occurs in the organization. Here the sine our manager never lizn to the junior than the subordinate he connote express his new ideas than the barriers starts in the organization.

Resistance in change

This is the serious psychological barrier Some peoples strongly resist new ideas which are against their established opinion(or)treditions (or)social customs. They may avoid the new ideas because the feel insecure or afraid of changes in methods or situations The peoples are maintain their own emotions attitudes, standards. They are not ready to accept anything new changes.

Close mind

This is also main barrier of each and every organization Close minded seniors are narrow minded peoples they cannot implement new ideas. And they are not allowing to young employees to perform well & to implement to ideas for growth of organization

Poor communication skills

Lack of skill in writing & in speaking prevents a persons from framing the message properly. Lack of understanding Because of nervousness the person cannot communication orally with audience Because of excitement about on achievement or new idea may make a person speech incoherent. Lack of listening, poor reading habits.

State of health

The human health condition can affect communication efficiency pain or fever certainly makes a persons disinclined to engage in communication. Perception is low when the state of health is poor.

Continued

lack of concentration Attitude and bias Lack of self discipline Low emotional state Equally, if someone has personal problems like worries about their health or marriage, then this will probably affect them.

3.Language/semantic

Semantics, or code noise, occurs when the meaning of a message to the sender differs from its meaning to the recipient. Too often, this may be the result of jargon, involving pretentious terminology or language specific to a particular profession or group. Unclear message Faulty translation Specialists language Unclassified assumptions

Message related barrier

If your message is too lengthy, disorganized, or contains errors, you can expect the message to be misunderstood and misinterpreted. Use of poor verbal and body language can also confuse the message.

4.Organizational barrier

In organization the manager sends information through circular,notice,letter etc. In organization many of the employees they may not understand the lengthy messages if they ask the senior persons will never answer properly out of 100/20% of information only they will get. in organizations the senior peoples will not give much interest to the circular and all.

Contd..

In downward communication the subordinate may not get exact information. Because of superior carelessness. In upward communication the subordinates passes information to the superior but that(100%) information will not moves to superior the managers will edit the unwanted information than finally they will send the exact message.

Organizational barriers:
Status

relationship One way flow Organization structure Rules and regulations Distance barriers Physical barriers Mechanical barriers

5. Cross-cultural barrier

We communicate the way we do because we are raised in particular culture and learn its language, rules, and norms. Different cultures (and sub cultures)may have different rules and norms. Understanding the other's culture facilitates cross-cultural communication

Different languages And cultures

Different languages and cultures represent national barrier which is particularly important for organizations involved in overseas (Proper usage and pronunciation) business. Staff shortages are another factor which frequently causes communication difficulties for an organization

CULTURAL CONFLICTS IN WORK PLACE

Cultural conflicts arise because of the differences in values and norms of behavior of people from different cultures. A person acts according to the values and norms of his or her culture; another person holding a different worldview might interpret his or her behavior from an opposite standpoint. This situation creates misunderstanding and can lead to conflicts

Learning about other cultures.

People can prevent cross-cultural conflicts by learning about cultures that they come in contact with. This knowledge can be obtained through training programs, general reading, talking to people from different cultures, and learning from past experience.

Discrimination

Cultural conflicts lead to Discrimination toward or against a person or group is the prejudicial treatment of them based on certain characteristics.

Dealing with Discrimination in the Workplace

In the last few years, charges of gender discrimination (man vs. woman) in the workplace have increased. Racial bias, while no longer the most common complaint among employees, remains a problem, as does age discrimination.

Dealing With Discrimination At Workplace

Dealing effectively with discrimination is a two fold process: Become knowledgeable with regard to anti discrimination laws, Pay close attention to what's happening in your company

Types Of Discrimination

1.Gender discrimination Socially, sexual differences have been used to justify different roles for men and women, in some cases giving rise to claims of primary and secondary roles.

Gender Stereo Typing

The united nations had concluded that women often experience a "glass ceiling" and that there are no societies in which women enjoy the same opportunities as men. The term "glass ceiling" is used to describe a perceived barrier to advancement in employment based on discrimination, especially sex discrimination

Language discrimination

Diversity of language is protected and respected by most nations who value cultural diversity. However, people are sometimes subjected to different treatment because their preferred language is associated with a particular group, class or category. Discrimination exists if there is prejudicial treatment against a person or a group of people who speak a particular language or dialect.

Disability Discrimination

People with disabilities face discrimination in all levels of society. The attitude that disabled individuals are inferior to nondisabled individuals is called ableism

6.Overcoming barriers

Constant organizational efforts is need to overcome the barriers which are unconsciously built up by different people in the organization. Health Centers:- many organizations provide medical aid, gymnasium and recreation for the staff in an effort to keep down stress level. Regulation like compulsory vacation after a certain number of months/years are also meant to ensure that employees avoid stress and fatigue.

Contd

Semantic and language barriers can be overcome only by being careful with the use of language & by using words which have clear meaning, by using short and simple sentence, and also by using visual aid whenever possible.

7.Personal barriers:

Attitude of superiors Lack of confidence in subordinates Insistence of proper channel Ignoring comm. Filtering of information Message overload

8.Barriers related to the communicator

Unwillingness to say things differently Unwillingness to relate to others differently Unwillingness to learn new approaches Lack of self -confidence Lack of enthusiasm Voice quality

Continued

Prejudice Badly expressed message Loss in transmission Semantic problem Over/under communication attitude

Basic Components

The End

Thank you all the best my dear friends