DE McFarland has defined communication as the process of meaningful interaction between human beings. More specifically, it is the process by which meanings are perceived and understandings are reached between human beings. But there may be some failures/barriers in the communication system that prevent the message from reaching the receiver, these barriers are as follows:-
1. Language barrier; – Different languages, vocabulary, accent, dialect represents a national/regional barrier. Semantic spaces are words that have a similar pronunciation but multiple meanings such as round; misspelled message, misinterpretation, and unqualified assumptions. The use of difficult or inappropriate words/misexplained or misunderstood messages may result in confusion.
2. Cultural barriers: – Age, education, gender, social status, economic position, cultural background, temperament, health, beauty, popularity, religion, political belief, ethics, values, motives, assumptions, aspirations, rules/regulations, standards, Priorities can separate one person from another and create a barrier.
3. Individual barrier: – It can be the result of an individual’s perceptual and personal discomfort. Even when two people have experienced the same event, their mental perception may or may not be identical, which acts as a barrier. Style, selective perception, halo effect, poor attention and retention, defensiveness, closed-mindedness, insufficient filtering are the individual or psychological barrier.
4. Organizational Barrier: – Includes culture, climate, strict rules, regulations, status, relationship, complexity, inadequate facilities/opportunities for growth and improvement of the Poor Organization; while; The nature of the internal and external environment, such as large work areas physically separated from others, poor lighting, understaffing, outdated equipment, and background noise, are physical organizational barriers.
5. Interpersonal barrier: – Employers’ barriers are: – Lack of trust in employees; Lack of awareness of non-verbal cues such as facial expression, body language, gestures, posture, eye contact; different experiences; shortage of time for employees; no consideration for the needs of employees; desire to capture authority; fear of losing control; avoidance and information overload, while Employee Barriers include Lack of Motivation, lack of cooperation, trust, fear of sanction and poor relationship with the employer.
6. Attitudinal Barrier: – It arises as a consequence of problems with the organization’s personnel. Limitation in physical and mental capacity, intelligence, understanding, preconceived notions, and the untrusting source divide attention and create a mechanical barrier that affects attitude and opinion.
7. Channel barrier: – If the duration of the communication is long or the selected medium is inappropriate, the communication may be broken; it can also be the result of interpersonal conflicts between the sender and the receiver; lack of interest in communicating; information exchange or access issues that can hinder the channel and affect clarity, accuracy, and effectiveness.
In order to communicate effectively, one needs to overcome these barriers. Working to break the barrier is a broad-spectrum activity and there are certain measures here.
DO TO BREAK THE BARRIER:
– Allow employees access to resources, self-expression and idea generation.
– Express your expectations to others.
– Use fewer absolute words like “never”, “always”, “forever”, etc.
– Be a good listener, attentive and active.
– Correctly filter the information before passing it on to another person.
– Try to establish a communication channel and eliminate intermediaries.
– Use specific and precise words that audiences can easily understand.
– Try and see situations through the speaker’s eyes.
– The “you” attitude should be used on all occasions.
– Maintain eye contact with the speaker and make them feel comfortable.
– Write the instructions if the information is very detailed or complicated.
– Oral communication must be clear and without much accent.
– Avoid the miscommunication of words and semantic noise.
– Ask for clarification, repetition where necessary.
– Make the organizational structure more flexible, dynamic and transparent.
– Foster a cordial relationship that strengthens coordination between superior and subordinate.
– Focus on useful and focused communication.
– The communication message must be clear and practical.
– Get appropriate feedback.
NOT TO DO TO BREAK THE BARRIER:
– Be a Selective Listener, this is when one person listens to another but selects not to listen to what is said by choice or desire to listen to some other message.
– Be a “Fixer”, a fixer is a person who tries to find someone else’s fault.
– Be a dreamer.
– Use a long chain of command for communication.
– Using too much technical jargon.
– Jump to conclusions immediately.
– Interrupting the speakers and distracting them by asking too many irrelevant questions.