Barriers to Communication

Noise in the Communication Process

Success of Communication

Communication is successful only when the receiver understands the message intended by the sender.

Effective Communication occurs when sender obtains intended results from the receiver.

So UNDERSTANDING is the goal achieved in any successful communication.

Success of Communication (contd)

Effective communication is difficult to achieve as it involves other aspects of behaviour like motivation, leadership, persuasion, and power.

Further, effective communication implies good communication but good communication itself does not ensure effective communication

Barriers to Effective Communication

Since the communication process is complex, distortions can take place at every stage.

Barriers to Effective Communication (contd)

For the purpose of convenience, we will categorize these as

Sender Related

Situation Related

Receiver Related

Communication Barriers

Five types of communication barriers:Perceptual and Language---Perception is a person’s individual interpretation of the sensory world---The more experiences you share,the greater the understanding

Restrictive/Authoritarian management---Can block/distort/fragment communication

Communication Barriers (contd)

Distractions---Physical/Emotional

Deceptive Tactics---Leads to failure

Information Overload

Nonmechanical and Nonsemantic Barriers

Assumptions

FearsReluctance to

confrontRidicule,

rejection, fear of being wrong

Nonmechanical and Nonsemantic Barriers (contd)

Authority relationships

Unmanaged stress

Corporate culture

Psychological Barriers

To help messages move more smoothly at the workplace avoid the following:Allness:

Avoid the use of words like ‘always’, ‘never’, ‘nobody’

Conveys a “know-it-all attitude”. In receiver---an all-knowing

attitude, Listener doesn’t listen to sender. So sender thinks receiver is

dogmatic.

Psychological Barriers

‘Allness’ (contd):

Sender groups all his receivers in one category about which he presumes to know every thing.

Uses words like ‘everyone’, ‘all’, ‘never’, etc.

Psychological Barriers

‘Allness’ (contd)Allness results in arrogance and

closemindedness.

SOLUTION—Qualify abstract or categorical statements with phrases like ‘in most cases’, ‘probably’. Label opinions with phrases like ‘it seems to me’

Psychological Barriers (contd)

Blindering: Putting blinders on your

perception. Involves rigid categorising. People use it when they are

puzzled about a particular problem,

‘Blindering’ (contd):Adopt a “one size fits all solution.Skips an important step in problem solving

namely, seeking innovations.

SOLUTION: Never rely only on old solutions to new problems

Psychological Barriers (contd)

Psychological Barriers (contd)

Fact-Inference Confusion: Jumping to conclusions based on inferences.

Failure to distinguish between fact and inference.

Inferences need not be illogical. They need to be verified.

Fact Inference Confusion (contd):

SOLUTION: Find evidences for your inferences. Use qualifiers like ‘in my opinion’,

‘evidence suggests’, etc.

Psychological Barriers (contd)

Psychological Barriers (contd)

Polarization: Viewing things as if only two

alternatives exist even when others do exist.

This logical fallacy is also called ‘either/or’, ‘yes/no’, ‘them/us’, ‘black’/white’

SOLUTION: Accept that other solutions also exist

Psychological Barriers (contd)

Frozen Evaluation:

Form of resistance to change.

A judgement set in concrete

Occurs when one forgets the process of change.

Frozen Evaluation (contd):

SOLUTION :

Apply the ‘when index’. It helps one to consider change in one’s evaluations, and to distinguish between various phases of time/situations.

Psychological Barriers (contd)

Psychological Barriers (contd)

Premature Evaluation: Very close to poor listening. Prematurely evaluating the

speaker’s message. Listening without hasty

judgements can make the whole organization more effective.

SOLUTION:Hear the person fully before judging

Psychological Barriers (contd)

Thelamic Reaction: Tendency of people to react to

information without allowing brain to consider and weigh the words that are spoken

Letting emotions take control SOLUTION: Withhold evaluation before

comprehension. First think before speaking

Psychological Barriers (contd)

Selective Perception:

Receiver selectively hears/sees information based on own needs, experience, background, and individual traits.

Projects own interests and expectation into the message whilst decoding.

Selective Perception (contd): Intended meaning is distortedReceiver ends up ignoring other relevant

information. Understanding dependant on his ‘perceptual

world’.Results in rejection of new ideas and ignoring

information that conflicts with what they already believe.

SOLUTION: Be open to new ideas

Psychological Barriers (contd)

Ten Commandments Of Good Communication

Seek to clarify ideas before communicating

Examine the true purpose of each communication

Consider the total physical & human setting whenever you communicate

Ten Commandments Of Good Communication (contd)

Consult others, wherever appropriate, in planning communications

Be mindful, while you communicate, of the overtones as well as the basic content of your message.

Take the opportunity to convey something of value to the receiver

Ten Commandments of Good Communication (contd)

Follow up your communication

Communicate for tomorrow as well as today

Be sure your actions support your communications

Be a good listener

The End