Identifying

Barriers to
Effective
Communicat
ion
Overcoming
Communicat
ion Barriers

Barrier
Something that keeps
meanings from meeting
It is false to assume that if one
can talk he/she can communicate.

Communication
Barriers
No matter how good the
communication system in an
organisation is, unfortunately
barriers can and do often occur.

Physical
barriers
nature of environment
Staff located in different buildings or on
different sites
poor or outdated equipment
failure of management to introduce new
technology
Staff shortages
background noise
poor lighting or
Too hot/cold environment which is too
hot or cold

Psychological factors
People's state of mind
Personal problems

Different languages
Different languages and
cultures represent a
national barrier which is
particularly important for
organisations involved in
overseas business.

Individual linguistic
ability
Individual linguistic ability
Use of difficult or inappropriate
words
Poorly explained or
misunderstood messages

SEMANTIC BARRIERS

Definition of words
Choice of words

Perceptual Barriers
Your mind absorbs your
experiences in a unique and
personal way
Because your perceptions
(ahsas)
are
unique
(munfarid), the ideas you want
to express differ from other
peoples

Incorrect filtering
In business, the filters
between you and your
receiver are many, such as
secretaries,
assistants,
receptionists,
answering machines,
etc.

Poor listening
Lack of attention on the
receivers part

The Feedback Problem

Media Selection
The media one selects
for communication in a
particular situation
should link with the
feedback
requirements.

Lack of Empathy (ability

to understand and share
the feeling of others)
The sender, as well as
the receiver do not try to
project themselves into
the others personality
to increase the potential
for effective
communication.

Physiological barriers
May result from
individuals' personal
discomfort, caused,
for example, by ill
health.

System design
Problems with the structures
or systems in place in an
organisation.

Inefficient or inappropriate
information systems,
Lack of supervision or
training
Lack of clarity in roles and
responsibilities

Attitudinal barriers
Attitudinal barriers come about as a
result of problems with staff in an
organisation.

poor management
lack of consultation with
employees
personality conflicts
personal attitudes of individual
employees
resistance to change

Presentation of
information
Presentation of
information is also
important to aid
understanding.

Gender barriers
Women - 22,000 to 25,000 words a day
Men - 7,000 to10,000 words a day
Mens speech located in the left side of
the brain but in no specific area
Womens speech located in both
hemispheres and in two specific
locations
Mens talk - linear, logical and
compartmentalized (features of leftbrain thinking)
Womens talk - mixing logic and
emotion, features of both sides of the
brain

Verbal
Communication Barriers
1. Attacking
(interrogating, criticizing, blaming,
shaming)
2. "You Messages"
(moralizing, preaching, advising,
diagnosing)
3. Showing Power
(ordering, threatening, commanding,
directing)
4. Other Verbal Barriers
(shouting, name calling, refusing to speak)

Nonverbal
Communication Barriers
1. Flashing or rolling eyes
2. Quick or slow movements
3. Arms crossed, legs crossed
4. Slouching, hunching over
5. Gestures made with exasperation
6. Poor personal care
7. Doodling (scribbling)
8. Staring at people or avoiding eye
contact
9. Excessive fidgeting with materials

Effective
Communication
Effective Communication . . .
1.It is two-way
2.It involves active listening
3.It reflects the accountability
of speaker and listener
4.It utilizes feedback
5.It is free of stress
6.It is clear