Barriers in Communication

FEATURES OF COMMUNICATION
Dynamic: Constantly changing
Continuous: You cannot not communicate
Two-way/circular: Never one way
Unrepeatable: Same message, same sender can
have different meanings for different listeners
Irreversible: Once said
Complex: Multiple cycles, multiple processes at
one time

Communication Skills for Managers

Barriers to Effective Communication

Messages that are unclear, incomplete,

difficult to understand
Messages sent over the an inappropriate
medium
Messages with no provision for feedback
Messages that are received but ignored
Messages that are misunderstood
Messages delivered through automated
systems that lack the human element

153

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21st Century Workplace Challenges & Demands

Present workplace
Multi-cultural
Multiple time zones
Languages
People
Technology
Expectations Knowledge workers
Communication

Cultural Differences
Global

Village Internet, Skype,

Technology, time zone barriers
Not necessary, but useful to be multilingual
Accent Neutralization
Barriers built in from childhood mindset
not my fault / am so strong
Mindset evolving towards projection
Multi-ethnic

Types of Barriers
Physical
Psycho-social
Cultural
Linguistic
Semantic
Body

Language

Physical Barriers
Physical Barriers
Challenges of multi-tasking - Man, by nature, not wired
for this
Speed of thinking, talking, typing 200 wpm, 80 wpm, 40
wpm -Deficit
Word pickers During a talk/conversation one word may
trigger a feeling of I know whats coming
Concentration time Linkages miss the talk, snap
back with change of inflection/tone etc
Medium Interference in communication, eating, driving,
talking on the cell phone while walking on the road/public
travel, texting in class

Cultural Differences
Some reports say -The result of U.S. warning to
Japan for unconditional surrender - an
ambiguous mokusatu meaning to kill with
silence

Tokyo radio used the word, saying the

government would mokusato the declaration and
fight onThe English translation became reject
and the President took it as a rebuff. The result?
Egyptian pilots radioed (in English) their intention
to land at an airbase on Cyprus, and the Greek
traffic controllers reportedly responded with
silence, indicating refusal
The Egyptians interpretation of this silence
assent
The outcome? Lives lost

Cultural Differences

Assuming Similarity -Danish Woman with baby

in the US
Assuming Difference Urban/rural;
Eastern/Western/South/North etc.
Eye Contact Critical Differences in stare,
gaze, lecherous look, business look
Gestures Thumbs up, Victory sign
meanings
Basic unwritten rule to follow no
assumptions, no judgments; Believe nothing
of what you hear and only half of what you
see

Linguistic Differences

Language, Culture & Body Language intertwined

E.g. English You; Yes, yeah
Indian languages Aap, Tum, tu; words
describing relationships cousin, aunt,
mausera bhai, chachera bhai, mausi, chachi,
maami etc.
Word bai in Hindi and Marathi
When disrespect is perceived, the message is
lost in the emotional thought process over the
disrespect

Semantic Differences
French Lemonade cannot be launched with
the same name in English speaking countries
Japanese brand of cold drink name would be
rejected in India
Argentinian curry powder - Poo
German drink
Portugal tuna Atum bum
Communication is about making meaning make
sure you communicate what you are meant to
The intended outcome of the message should
be clear to sender and receiver

Psycho-Social Barriers
Status
Horns/Halo

Effect
Allness & Closed Mind
Resistance to Change
Unclarified Assumption
Different Perceptions

BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION
PERCEPTUAL BARRIERS
CONTENT BARRIERS
Content Known/Unknown,
Disinterest
PERSONAL BARRIERS
Poor Listening/ Thinking of
response

BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION
ENVIRONMENTAL BARRIERS
Light/Air/Noise/Ventilation/Interru
ption
LINGUISTIC BARRIERS
Language/Semantics/Tone/Deliver
y Style
PSYCHOLOGICAL BARRIERS
Frustrated/Anxiety/Anger/Status

Language Barriers
'Ici on parle
Anglais'...
'Ici on se rit de
votre francais.'
('We speak English
here'...
'We laugh at your
French here')

What Kind of Barriers Do You See Here?

Types of Barriers
Interpersonal
Takes into account uniqueness of individuals
due to age, perceptions, experiences,
education, culture, personality interpretation
differs e.g.???
Causes Wrong assumptions, varied
perceptions, wrong inferences, differing
background, blocked categories
Prevent or overcome You attitude, audience
oriented choice of words, technical words to
be explained, avoid oversimplification

Prevent or Overcome Organizational

Barriers
Keep receiver in mind
Open communication environment
Avoid too many transfer stations
Avoid communication when emotionally
disturbed
Be aware of diversity in culture, language etc.
Use appropriate non-verbal cues
Select most suitable medium
Analyse feedback

Additional Reading

http://cte.uwaterloo.ca/teaching_resources/tips/effectiv
e_communication_barriers_and_strategies.html
- Strategies
http://www.radford.edu/~kvharring/docs/HRMDocs/5comm
.pdf
- Communication across cultural barriers
http://healthadmin.jbpub.com/Borkowski/chapter4.pdf Workplace Communication
http://www.diversity-matters.net/publications-gestures.pdf
- Gestures
http://www.languagetrainers.co.uk/blog/2007/09/24/top-1
0-hand-gestures/
- Hand gestures to avoid
www.vikalpa.com/pdf/articles/2010/page-vol-35-55-65.pdf

Thank You