Barriers to communicationBarriers to communication

What is Communication?What is Communication?

Communication is a two-way process in Communication is a two-way process in which there is an exchange and progress which there is an exchange and progress of ideas towards a mutually accepted of ideas towards a mutually accepted direction or goal.direction or goal.

What are Barriers?What are Barriers?

Barriers create impediments Barriers create impediments in the progress of the in the progress of the interaction.interaction.

An activity as complex as An activity as complex as communication is bound to communication is bound to suffer from setbacks if suffer from setbacks if conditions contrary to the conditions contrary to the smooth functioning of the smooth functioning of the process emerge.process emerge.

Common BarriersCommon Barriers

1.1. NoiseNoise

2.2. DistortionDistortion

3.3. Gender differenceGender difference

4.4. Non-verbal communicationNon-verbal communication

5.5. Lack of communication skillLack of communication skill

6.6. Information overloadInformation overload

7.7. Sender-orientedSender-oriented

8.8. Receiver-orientedReceiver-oriented

1.1. Noise:Noise:

Noise refers to the Noise refers to the interference or interference or distraction that is in the distraction that is in the environment in which the environment in which the communication is taking communication is taking place. place.

2. Distortion:2. Distortion:

Distortion refers to the Distortion refers to the loss of meaning of the loss of meaning of the message in message in handling.  This largely handling.  This largely occurs in the encoding occurs in the encoding and decoding stages of and decoding stages of communication.communication.

3. Gender difference:3. Gender difference:

Gender differences are Gender differences are a common barrier of a common barrier of communication.  Men communication.  Men and women and women communicate for communicate for different reasons with different reasons with different styles.  different styles.  

4. Non-verbal communication:4. Non-verbal communication:

Non-verbal Non-verbal communication is a very communication is a very important barrier as oral important barrier as oral communication is always communication is always accompanied by non-accompanied by non-verbal cues that have a verbal cues that have a great tendency of great tendency of encumbering the right encumbering the right message.message.

5. Lack of communication skill5. Lack of communication skill

Also the encoder Also the encoder or decoder may or decoder may lack lack communication communication skills, which skills, which becomes a major becomes a major barrier of barrier of communication.communication.

6. Information overload:6. Information overload:

Lots of information is Lots of information is also termed as also termed as information overload information overload which can also be a which can also be a big hindrance in big hindrance in effective effective communication.communication.

7. Sender-oriented:7. Sender-oriented:

As sender is the As sender is the originator of originator of communication, if he communication, if he gives rise to barriers, gives rise to barriers, the communication the communication comes to a grinding halt.comes to a grinding halt.

8. Receiver-oriented:8. Receiver-oriented:

The receiver too can The receiver too can be guilty of erecting be guilty of erecting barriers in the barriers in the course of the course of the interaction.interaction.

Rules for overcoming barriers:Rules for overcoming barriers:

Plan and clarify ideas Plan and clarify ideas

Use simple LanguageUse simple Language

Create a climate of trust and confidenceCreate a climate of trust and confidence

Time your message carefullyTime your message carefully

Minimize usage of ‘I’Minimize usage of ‘I’

Reinforce words with actionReinforce words with action

Communicate efficientlyCommunicate efficiently

Jot down pointsJot down pointsKeep the mind openKeep the mind openDelay evaluationDelay evaluationFind an area of interestFind an area of interestCheck reliability and validityCheck reliability and validityListen to ideasListen to ideas Be open to changesBe open to changesEnter into healthy discussionEnter into healthy discussion

By Amirtha Varshini.By Amirtha Varshini.