Scribd
Upload
197 views6 pages

Communication Skills Assignment

This document discusses the five main barriers to effective communication and how to overcome them. The five barriers are: 1) Language barriers which can be overcome by communicating in the preferred language of the recipient or using an interpreter. 2) Physical barriers like noise which can be reduced by using a soundproof room. 3) Complex organization structures which can be addressed by improving communication skills and transparency. 4) Poorly expressed messages which should be clear, concise and use appropriate language. 5) Different backgrounds of communicators which requires using feedback to ensure understanding. Overcoming these barriers helps ensure the intended message is delivered and understood.

Uploaded by

Temp Temp
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
197 views6 pages

Communication Skills Assignment

This document discusses the five main barriers to effective communication and how to overcome them. The five barriers are: 1) Language barriers which can be overcome by communicating in the preferred language of the recipient or using an interpreter. 2) Physical barriers like noise which can be reduced by using a soundproof room. 3) Complex organization structures which can be addressed by improving communication skills and transparency. 4) Poorly expressed messages which should be clear, concise and use appropriate language. 5) Different backgrounds of communicators which requires using feedback to ensure understanding. Overcoming these barriers helps ensure the intended message is delivered and understood.

Uploaded by

Temp Temp
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 6

QUEENSGATE

COLLEGE OF HEALTH
SCIENCES

NAME: MERCY CHUPA


STUDENT #: 202201035
COURSE NAME: COMMUNICATION SKILLS
DUE DATE: APRIL 2022

LECTURER: MR. MBAWA. D

Page 1 of 6
Barriers to effective communication and how to overcome them

1.0 Introduction

There are many barriers to effective communication and these may occur at any stage in the
communication process. Regardless of the type of communication: verbal, nonverbal, written,
listening or visual, if we don't communicate effectively, we put ourselves and others at risk.
A barrier to effective communication can be defined as something which restricts or disables
communicators from delivering the right message to the right individual at the right moment, or a
recipient from receiving the right message at the right time. Barriers may lead to a message
becoming distorted. It is, therefore, important that the communicator seeks feedback to check that
their message is clearly understood.

This assignment seeks to discuss the five barriers to effective communication and how to overcome
them.

Page 2 of 6
2. 0 Five barriers to effective communication and how to overcome them

2.1 Language barriers


When speaking the same language, the words used for communication may become a barrier if the
recipient does not clearly comprehend it. A message containing special terminology and acronyms,
for example, would be misunderstood by a receiver who is unfamiliar with it. For instance, regional
slang and phrases may be misunderstood or perhaps even considered insulting or offensive. If the
receiver does not know the language properly, communication will not happen. Furthermore, when
working with a colleague whose second language is the receiver’s first language, there’s bound to
be miscommunication. Language barrier can also happen when a word is used in one language
which does not exist in the other language. This becomes difficult to explain.

How to overcome language barriers

One way of overcoming language barrier could be by finding out what language the people speak
so that sender can write or verbally communicate to them in their preferred language. Another way
by providing leaflets in different languages which would make the people feel more comfortable.
Besides that, an interpreter could be brought in who would talk for the people. This could make
the people feel more relaxed but also they might feel like they can talk themselves. The other way
is to avoid slang, idioms, and be careful of jargon and to be specific when communicating. Besides
that, the sender should always ask for understanding.

2.2 Physical barriers

A physical barrier to effective communication is an element or physical factor that acts as a


distraction to hinder the flow of communication. it can be natural or human made and is easy to
spot. Communication does not take place through words alone. Since 55% of communication is
perceived or decoded through body language and facial expressions, so barriers might occur by
the physical appearance of communicators; the sender or the receiver, or the context of a document
and even the presentation of a document. Physical barriers are by far the most visible obstacles to
successful communication. Examples of physical barriers include: noise, closed doors, unreliable
communication devices to mention but a few. In a written message the barriers might be: jammed
or jagged margins, finger-prints or smudges on paper, unclear photocopies, unreadable word-
processor printout, stains of water or tea or oil etc.

Page 3 of 6
In a presentation, barriers might occur if the sender or speaker has poor verbal skills, is mumbling,
not enunciating or describing in details, speaking too quickly or using accented style. There might
be other sources of disruption like noise of hissing ventilations, ringing telephones, slamming
doors, Environmental Disturbances like traffic noise, loud sound, passing train etc.

How to overcome physical barrier


There are a number of ways this barrier can be overcome for example if the noise is coming from
the TV the staff could remove the volume or reduce the volume and put the subtitles on the TV so
that people can read what is being said. Another way the barrier can be overcome is by either
having a soundproof room or having separate rooms.

2.3 Complex organization structure

A complex organization structure is another barrier to communication. A long chain of command,


large space of control, several layers of management information, confusing relations between line
and staff offices etc. create distance between sender and receiver of the message. Message tends
to be distorted or diluted and ultimately becomes less effective. Furthermore, the status or position
of a person in the organization may create barriers in communication. A person in superior
positions sometimes does not talk freely with his subordinates. Many superiors do not listen
patiently to their subordinates. Similarly, a subordinate usually hesitates to seek classifications and
express his views and suggestions. In such situations, effective communication becomes a distant
dream.

How to overcome complex organisation structure

Red tapes must be removed in the organisation structure and subordinates must be encouraged to
talk freely to their superiors. Furthermore, all employees in the organization should be provided
with all necessary information relating to the objectives, policies, procedures, organizational
structures etc. the communication skills of the employee must be improved by specialists. Besides
that, to make communication effective, the organisation must have an open and transparent way
of communication and create a culture of listening. Conflict resolution and open door policy must

Page 4 of 6
be encouraged in an organisation. Also, problems must be tackled in a direct manner by addressing
issues must at personal level.

2.4 Poorly expressed message

The most common barrier to communication is its poor expression. The wrong choice of words
and phrases, faulty construction of the sentence, ambiguous language, lack of coherence, etc. are
the main causes of poor expression of the message. Sometimes, he omits certain essential facts.
All these create a big barrier to communication. There are various media of communication such
as oral, written, visual, audio-visual, etc. All these media have their relative merits and
limitations. For instance, a report to the manger cannot be sent via a text message.

How to overcome poorly expressed message

The communicator must be quite clear about what he wants to communicate. He should clarify
the purpose of the message and make a plan to achieve it. The message should be clearly
formulated in the mind of the sender. Words must be chosen in such a way that
miscommunication is avoided. Messages must be to the point and short. Furthermore, the sender
must ensure that he is using a language the receiver understands. Each communication must be
transmitted via an appropriate medium.

2.5 Different backgrounds

Different individuals often interpret the same communication differently because of their different
backgrounds. Thus, when people with different knowledge and experience try to communicate,
they often have trouble getting their meaning across.

How to overcome different background

The sender should use feedback effectively. Both the sender and receiver can create an
environment that encourages feedback. Feedback provides a channel for getting the response from
the receiver. For instance, a lecturer at a college can also solicit feedback by his own actions. He
should allow students to express their opinions so that he could receive a response from them.

Page 5 of 6
3.0 References

[1]. O’Hair, D. Friedrich, G. and Dixon, L. (2002) Strategic Communication in Business and the
Professions, 4th edition, Boston: Houghton Mifflin, p. 3

[2]. Hargie, O. and Tourish, D. (eds) (2000) Handbook of Communication Audits for
Organisations, London: Routledge.

[3]. Morley, D., Shockley-Zalabak, P. and Cesaria, R. (2002) ‘Organizational influence


processes: perceptions of values, communication and effectiveness’, Studies in Communication
Sciences, 2: 69–104.

[4]. Beck, C. (1999) Managerial Communication: Bridging Theory and Practice, Upper Saddle
River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

[5]. Tourish, D. and Hargie, O. (2004) ‘Motivating critical upward communication: a key
challenge for management decision-making’, in D. Tourish and O. Hargie (eds) Key Issues in
Organisational Communication, London: Routledge.

[6]. Dickson, D. (1999) ‘Barriers to communication’, in A. Long (ed.) Interaction for Practice in
Community Nursing, Houndmills, Hampshire: MacMillan.

Page 6 of 6

You might also like