EFFECTIVE

COMMUNICATION
Dr. Om Prakash
 Barriers to Communication

 Barriers to Communication imply hurdles or obstacles on the way of transmission of the

message form the sender to the receiver.

Barriers to Communication

1. Physical & Mechanical 3. Socio-psychological 5. Personal

Barriers Barriers Barriers

2. Language or Semantic 4. Organizational

Barriers Barriers
 Barriers

1. Physical and Mechanical Barriers: Noise is the disruption or interference in

communication cycle. Noise can be physical as well as psychological. Physical
disturbances or distractions such as gossip, loud speakers, noise of the equipments or
machines etc. can cause disturbance in sending and receiving messages. Whereas,
psychological noise refers to mental disturbances such as, clash in ego, pre occupied
mind, hangover, fatigue, anxiety, prejudices, and strong negative emotions etc. also
cause hindrance in communication cycle. Other attributes which cause disturbance
are:
 Time
 Distance
 Information Overload
 Pace of Delivery
 Pace of Reception
 Barriers

2. Language or semantic Barriers: Language is the carrier of all verbal

communication. As each one of us has got a different worldview and perception, the
role of language becomes more imperative and significant in exchanging and sharing
information. At times loosely structured message may render deficiency in effective
communication. Lack of coherence, errors of omission, selection of improper words
and technical jargon may mar the meaning and message of the communication.
Other attributes which create a barrier are:
 Unclear Message
 Faulty Translation
 Technical Jargon
 Unspecified Assumptions
 Unclear Connotation
 Metaphors
 Barriers

3. Socio-Psychological Barriers: Every individual perceives things differently. Given this

inter-personal differences and individuality, receiving, interpreting, and decoding
depend upon the psychological state of individual’s mind. The differences that cause
barriers to an effective communication are as it follows.
 Differences in Perception
 Differences in Attitudes
 Control over Emotion
 Inattention
 Occupied Mind
 Premature Evaluation
 Distrust
 Resistance to Change
 Socio-Cultural Differences (Values, Beliefs, Stereotypes, etc.)
 Barriers
4. Organizational Barriers: An organization is a deliberate creation for attainment
of specified objectives. This is usually attempted through a variety of official measures
such as designing the organizational arrangements for performances of various
activities, prescribing of various policies, rules, regulations and procedures, laying
down of norms of behaviour, instituting a reward-and-punishment system etc. All the
inner processes, including communication in different directions, are markedly affected
by these prescriptions. Some major organizational barriers are as it follows.
 Status
 One-way Flow
 Organizational Hierarchy
 Rules and Regulations
 Distance
 Lack of Compliance
 Different Priorities
 Rigidity in Policy
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5. Personal Barriers: Apart form the above-mentioned organizational barriers; some
inter-personal barriers too come into play. These barriers are basically a very significant
intervention in disturbing the communication cycle. Primarily the following inter-
personal barriers are of special mention. They are:
 Attitude towards Seniors
 Lack of Trust on Subordinates
 Insistence of Proper Channel
 Ignoring Communication
 Filtering of Information
 Lack of Time
 Message Overload
Gateway to Effective Communication

Developing and maintaining a system of good

communication is the primary job of any executive.
Effectiveness of Communication largely depends on
reciprocal understanding, mutual exchange of ideas,
facts, and information.
Gateways

The characteristics and attributes of a good communication system

are:
 Two-way Channel
 Mutual Trust
 Clarity of Message
 Timely Message
 Consistency of Message
 Good Reasoning
 Proactive Relations
 Periodical Feedback
 Emphatic Listening
 Flexibility