Professional Communication
Barriers to Communication
Intrapersonal Barriers
Interpersonal Barriers
Organisational Barriers
Intrapersonal Barriers
Wrong Assumption
Wrong assumptions are generally made because the sender or the receiver does not have
adequate knowledge about the others background.
To strengthen your skills as a communicator one should try to put oneself in the shoes of
the listener.
EXAMPLE- Doctors using the term SOS
Varied Perceptions
Different individuals hold different viewpoints about the same situation.
Different individuals perceive the same situation in different ways.
The best way to overcome this barrier is the step back and take a wider, unbiased
perspective of the issue.
EXAMPLE – Six blind men and their description of an elephant.
Differing Backgrounds
Our background plays a significant role in how we interpret a message.
At times, something not experienced earlier is difficult to interpret or appreciate.
It is necessary to know the background of the audience.
Empathy or identification with another person is the solution to this barrier.
EXAMPLE –Professor talking about his rock-climbing adventure.
Wrong Inferences
Inferences are more dramatic than facts.
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They can provide more scope for gossip and rumour to spread.
It is essential that inferences should be supported by facts.
EXAMPLE – A man returning from business trip and finding two of his colleagues
absent.
Blocked Categories
We tend to react negatively when we receive information that does not conform to our
personal views, habits, attitudes etc.
Rejection, distortion and avoidance are three common undesirable and negative reactions
to unfavorable information.
People having closed minds tend to ignore variations and differences which leads to
unreliable conclusions. Such people are called MISONEISTS.
EXAMPLE – Students of science are good in reasoning.
Categorical Thinking
PANSOPHIST- People having 'know it all' attitude are called Pansophist.
They think they know everything about a subject and refuse to accept any further
information.
EXAMPLE - When a person does not listen in an orientation program as he thinks he
know it all.
Interpersonal Barriers
Limited Vocabulary
Inadequate vocabulary can be a major hindrance in communication.
One can create a favorable on the listeners if one has a varied and substantial vocabulary.
Incompatibility of Verbal and Non-Verbal messages
The stark difference between the verbal and non-verbal aspects messages may leave the
listeners confused and puzzled.
Misinterpreted non-verbal communication acts as another barrier to effective information
flow.
Emotional Outburst
Excessive emotional involvement can be an obstacle in communication.
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A rational discussion becomes impossible in an emotionally charged environment.
Messages can be misinterpreted, ignored or overreacted by people displaying such
behaviour.
Positive emotions (happiness and excitement)also interfere in communication.
Communication Selectivity
When the receiver in a communication process pays attention only to a part of the
message, he/she is imposing a barrier known as communication selectivity.
The receiver pays attention to only a part of the message.
The receiver breaks the flow of communication.
EXAMPLE- meeting held by CEO of a company with all her executives from various
divisions
Cultural Variations
Cultural variation is one of the predominant interpersonal factors contributing to
communication failure.
To compete successfully in global business environment, one must overcome the
communication inadequacy due to different languages and cultures.
It is important to know the business practices, social customs, and ettiquette of the
particular country one is dealing with.
Poor Listening Skills
Listening requires careful attention and accurate decoding of the signals received from
the speaker.
Poor listening skills leads to distortion of messages, misunderstandings, and conflicts.
Adversely affects the superior- subordinate relationship.
Noise
Noise interferes in the transmission of signals.
It is an unwanted signal that acts as a hindrance in the flow of the communication.
It can be audio, visual, audio- visual, written, physical and psychological forms.
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Organizational Barriers
Too Many Transfer Stations
The more links there are in a communication chain, the greater are the chances of mis-
communication
As the result of the increased number of transfer stations message gets distorted.
Fear of Superior
Fear of superior prevents subordinate from speaking frankly.
As a superior it is essential to create an environment which enables people to speak freely.
Negative Tendencies
Communication barrier may exits in work groups due to a conflict of ideas between the
members and non-members of a group.
Once these negative tendencies develop, they create noise in inter-personal
communication.
Use of inappropriate media
While choosing the medium for a particular occasion, the advantages, disadvantages and
potential barriers to communication must be considered.
EXAMPLE – A telephonic call would not be an ideal medium for conveying confidential
information.
Information Overload
Due to information overload, vital and relevant information gets mixed up with too many
irrelevant details which is therefore ignored by the receiver.
Screening of information is mandatory to reduce information overload in an organization.
