Barriers to Communication

What are the barriers to communication?

• Physical
• Cultural
• Language
• Perceptual
• Interpersonal
• Gender
• Emotional
Physical

examples
environment - noise
distance – the further the more problem
medium of communication – skype, email

overcoming physical barriers

examples
Cultural

examples
generational – generation gap
status and resistance -

overcoming cultural barriers

Language

examples
dialects
language disabilities – stuttering, hearing loss

overcoming language barriers

Perceptual

examples
perceptual filters – assumption, stereotyping etc

overcoming perceptual barriers

Interpersonal

examples
desire to participate
desire to explore

overcoming interpersonal barriers

Gender

examples
women – more focused on emotions
men – more logical

overcoming gender barriers

Emotional

examples
anger
pride
anxiousness

overcoming emotional barriers

How to overcome the barriers in
communication
Difficulties in Work Situations
• Delivering bad news by email
• Use a ‘one size fits all’ approach to communication
• Assuming that your message is understood
• Failure to listen
• Cultural differences
• Gender bias
Grapevine
• What is it?
Grapevine is an informal, unofficial and personal communication channel or
system that takes place within the organization as a result of rumor and gossip. It is a
complex web of oral information flow linking all the members of the organization.
 Roles of the Participants in a grapevine
• only 10% of all the individuals in an organization are highly active participants
in the grapevine.

• 1. Bridgers or Key Communicators - receive and pass information to others.

These people are the ones primarily responsible for the success of the
grapevine.

• 2. Baggers or Dead Enders - Baggers hear rumors but do not pass them along
or fail to tell others. They are called "dead-enders."

• 3. Beaners or Isolates - Beaners, or isolates, are not privy to any information,

do not hear the information and thus cannot pass along, a rumor. They tend to
be outside the grapevine.
How to manage grapevine
I. Active gathering of information regarding the rumour

II. Prepare for a public response through the development of an

information dissemination plan. (through proper official channel)

III. Implement the plan.

• Note: frequency of this communication procedure is required. Public

response must be true and honest.
How to solve Business Communication
Problems
• 1. Gather Knowledge
• 2. Use 6 questions for analysis
• 3. Brainstorm solutions
The six question analysis
• 1. Who are your audience? Education/Knowledge level. Cultural.
Economic Level. Age. Other demographics.
• 2. What is your purpose in communicating?
• 3. What information must your message include?
• 4. How can you build support for your position? What would the audience
find attractive or convincing?
• 5. What objections can your audience have? Minimize negative elements
of your message.
• 6. What aspects (economy, business condition, politics) that may affect
audience response?
The important elements in all communication
• 1. Truth & Honesty
• 2. Direct & Frequent communication (kill grapevine)
• 3. Correct Channel (bad news face to face, good news email, praise in
public, criticize in private, social media – Facebook, SnapChat,
WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter – for mass media communication)