Barriers in Organizational Communication

Barriers in Communication

FEATURES OF COMMUNICATIONDynamic: Constantly changingContinuous: You cannot not communicateTwo-way/circular: Never one wayUnrepeatable: Same message, same sender can have different meanings for different listenersIrreversible: Once saidComplex: Multiple cycles, multiple processes at one time

Copyright McGraw-Hill. All rights reserved.153Communication Skills for ManagersBarriers to Effective CommunicationMessages that are unclear, incomplete, difficult to understandMessages sent over the an inappropriate mediumMessages with no provision for feedbackMessages that are received but ignoredMessages that are misunderstoodMessages delivered through automated systems that lack the human element

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21st Century Workplace Challenges & DemandsPresent workplace Multi-culturalMultiple time zonesLanguagesPeopleTechnologyExpectations Knowledge workersCommunication

Cultural DifferencesGlobal Village Internet, Skype, Technology, time zone barriersNot necessary, but useful to be multi-lingualAccent Neutralization Barriers built in from childhood mindset not my fault / am so strongMindset evolving towards projection Multi-ethnic

Types of BarriersPhysicalPsycho-socialCulturalLinguisticSemanticBody Language

Physical BarriersPhysical Barriers Challenges of multi-tasking - Man, by nature, not wired for thisSpeed 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 etcMedium Interference in communication, eating, driving, talking on the cell phone while walking on the road/public travel, texting in class

Cultural DifferencesSome 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 DifferencesAssuming 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 meaningsBasic unwritten rule to follow no assumptions, no judgments; Believe nothing of what you hear and only half of what you see

Linguistic DifferencesLanguage, Culture & Body Language inter-twined 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 DifferencesFrench Lemonade cannot be launched with the same name in English speaking countriesJapanese brand of cold drink name would be rejected in IndiaArgentinian curry powder - PooGerman drinkPortugal tuna Atum bumCommunication is about making meaning make sure you communicate what you are meant toThe intended outcome of the message should be clear to sender and receiver

Psycho-Social BarriersStatusHorns/Halo EffectAllness & Closed MindResistance to ChangeUnclarified AssumptionDifferent Perceptions

PERCEPTUAL BARRIERS

CONTENT BARRIERS Content Known/Unknown, Disinterest

PERSONAL BARRIERS Poor Listening/ Thinking of response

BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION

BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATIONENVIRONMENTAL BARRIERS Light/Air/Noise/Ventilation/Interruption

LINGUISTIC BARRIERS Language/Semantics/Tone/Delivery Style

PSYCHOLOGICAL BARRIERS Frustrated/Anxiety/Anger/Status

PHYSIOLOGICAL BARRIERS Brain-Tongue Speed/ Unwell

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 BarriersInterpersonal 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 categoriesPrevent or overcome You attitude, audience oriented choice of words, technical words to be explained, avoid oversimplification

Prevent or Overcome Organizational Barriers

Keep receiver in mindOpen communication environmentAvoid too many transfer stationsAvoid communication when emotionally disturbedBe aware of diversity in culture, language etc.Use appropriate non-verbal cuesSelect most suitable mediumAnalyse feedback

Additional Readinghttp://cte.uwaterloo.ca/teaching_resources/tips/effective_communication_barriers_and_strategies.html - Strategieshttp://www.radford.edu/~kvharring/docs/HRMDocs/5comm.pdf - Communication across cultural barriershttp://healthadmin.jbpub.com/Borkowski/chapter4.pdf - Workplace Communicationhttp://www.diversity-matters.net/publications-gestures.pdf - Gestureshttp://www.languagetrainers.co.uk/blog/2007/09/24/top-10-hand-gestures/ - Hand gestures to avoidwww.vikalpa.com/pdf/articles/2010/page-vol-35-55-65.pdf

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