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Overcoming Potential Barriers In Effective

Communication

Introduction
The following report will discuss and resolve the possible barriers in effective communication. It
will include different ways in which to overcome the threats that pursue an important discussion,
debate or conversation. This report can be useful for people writing reports on effective
communication in and around their business or company.

Potential Barrier in communication (Cultural Differences)

Cultural differences can cause many problems in an effective discussion, for example: If two
people are trying to have a discussion and both speak different languages, it would be extremely
difficult to communicate, in different cultures hand signs represent gestures that the British take
politely. Religious issues can accelerate a normal discussion into a debate.

Possible ways of overcoming potential barriers that cultural

differences create
There are some ways of resolving these, some of which are the following: learn their language,
hire an interpreter, carry a translating dictionary, Instead of trying to communicate with hand
signs and offend them, research some different signs that mean something polite and respectful,
these are all ways that can solve the problems of effective communication in cultural differences.

Potential Barrier in communication (Distractions)

Distractions are one of the most annoying potential barriers; sometimes they are inescapable or
unpreventable. However, some of them can be avoided, for example: mobile phones, people
arriving late, changing the subject, talking about a different topic, some of these are preventable
though.
Possible ways to overcome potential barriers that
distractions create
Some distractions are unpreventable, but are some are avoidable, for example: turn mobile
phones off, arrive on time or come in quietly. Some of the distractions that are inescapable are as
follows: road works outside, mobile phone, someone arriving late.

Potential Barrier in communication (Incorrect

spelling/grammar)
Incorrect spelling is a potential barrier in communication because it can be misinterpreted as
something else and an important message might not be passed on, this can happen in any written
forms of communication, for example: email, snail- mail, memo, etc.

Possible ways to overcome potential barriers that incorrect

spelling/grammar creates
There are a number of ways to overcome incorrect spelling/grammar; firstly the spellchecker is
useful for simple spelling and grammar mistakes. Next, proofreading is important as this is more
accurate than spellchecker because machines do not know what context is suitable; finally, a
second opinion is the best option to overcome this barrier, getting a friend to check the work over
ensures better work.

Potential Barrier in communication (Terminology)

Using the wrong terminology is very poor quality communication; it can lead to
misunderstanding of an important issue, terminology that is too simple, example, thingy and
stuff, is far too vaguer terminology to understand, if someone is having a technical discussion
about something they need to use technical terminology. The wrong terminology can also result
in loss of interest.

Possible ways to overcome potential barriers that incorrect

terminology creates
There is no easy way to correct terminology; use same level of technical language, provide
audience with information about the topic to make communication easier, example: handouts.

Potential Barrier in communication (Loss of interest)

Loss of interest is the cause of poor communication, meaning a boring issue is being discussed or
incorrect terminology is being used. The subject might not be relevant to people in the audience,
talking too quietly, talking in a monotone.

Possible ways to overcome potential barriers that loss of

interest causes
There are numerous ways to overcome loss of interest, for example: talking in different tones
relevant to the subject, interact with the audience, use interesting slideshows, video clips, and
pictures. Loss of interest is only caused by: a boring subject, the wrong terminology, talking in
monotone, these problems can easily be solved.

Conclusion
There are a lot of potential barriers in communication, all of which can be overcome with a
discussion between a group of people, this is what we did, and we came up with different ways
in which to overcome possible drawbacks in effective communication. I have expressed the
potential barriers in effective communication and their methods of overcoming them. I have
listed five different possible drawbacks, which are as follows: Cultural Difference, Distractions,
Incorrect spelling/grammar, Terminology, Loss of interest. Some of the methods of overcoming
them are easier than others. However, some may take time, for example: learning a new
language.

©Copyright 2009-2011 The UeeKa Project Global

http://www.ueeka.com/docs/overcoming-potential-barriers-effective-
communication.html

International Online Training Program On Intractable

Conflict
Conflict Research Consortium, University of Colorado, USA

Cultural Barriers to Effective

Communication
Opening Page | Glossary | Menu Shortcut Page

Effective communication with people of different cultures is especially challenging. Cultures

provide people with ways of thinking--ways of seeing, hearing, and interpreting the world. Thus
the same words can mean different things to people from different cultures, even when they talk
the "same" language. When the languages are different, and translation has to be used to
communicate, the potential for misunderstandings increases.

Stella Ting-Toomey describes three ways in which culture interferes with effective cross-cultural
understanding. First is what she calls "cognitive constraints." These are the frames of reference
or world views that provide a backdrop that all new information is compared to or inserted into.

Second are "behavior constraints." Each culture has its own rules about proper behavior which
affect verbal and nonverbal communication. Whether one looks the other person in the eye-or
not; whether one says what one means overtly or talks around the issue; how close the people
stand to each other when they are talking--all of these and many more are rules of politeness
which differ from culture to culture.

Ting-Toomey's third factor is "emotional constraints." Different cultures regulate the display of
emotion differently. Some cultures get very emotional when they are debating an issue. They
yell, they cry, they exhibit their anger, fear, frustration, and other feelings openly. Other cultures
try to keep their emotions hidden, exhibiting or sharing only the "rational" or factual aspects of
the situation.

All of these differences tend to lead to communication problems. If the people involved are not
aware of the potential for such problems, they are even more likely to fall victim to them,
although it takes more than awareness to overcome these problems and communicate effectively
across cultures.

http://www.colorado.edu/conflict/peace/problem/cultrbar.htmCopyright ©1998 Conflict

Research Consortium -- Contact: crc@colorado.edu

Barriers to Effective Communication

Knowing the barriers to effective communication is the first step in learning how to improve your
communication skills.

Although there are many kinds of barriers to communication, most are characterized by not
being present to what's being said, or simply by not listening.

So what is it that keeps people from listening and being present in a conversation? Here are
some possible causes:

• Rehearsing what to say next When you're too busy and too focused on preparing your
response to what the other person is saying, you aren't being fully present to what's being said at
precisely that moment.

• Being overemotional - Allowing defensiveness,fear, anger, love, disgust, or resentment to

take control. Emotions are going to show up all the time, it's only when they overwhelm us that
they become barriers to effective communication.
• Being distracted by happenings in the environment: too noisy, too cold, too hot, etc. The
more we pay attention to a distracting noise, the less attention we pay to the conversation at
hand.

If you play a sport, you can relate to this fact. As an example, golfers are told to block out their
surroundings and focus only on driving or putting the ball. The audience watching the golfer is
told to keep quiet. These instructions are an acknowledgment that noises can be very distracting
to the task at hand.

It just takes practice to block distractions and remain focused on the conversation.

• Wearing a Mask Pretending to be someone you are not. We go through life putting on masks
to suit the needs of the moment. If we need to please someone, we put on our people pleaser
mask. When we pretend that we are happy with everything other people are doing, we don't
express anything that may be seen "not nice". We don't express ourselves freely, we fail to
communicate.

• Having an agenda. When you have a hidden agenda it's unlikely you'll be able to stay
focused on what the other person is saying. Most likely you'll be too busy thinking of how to
convince them about something - or of ways to ask them for something, to be actually listening
to what they're saying.

You may argue that most people have an agenda, and you'd be right about that. One of the main
reasons we communicate is to get something we want, either through control, manipulation or
just influence.

Having an agenda becomes a problem when you become too focused on fulfilling it; when you
remain too attached to getting your way.

• Prejudging and Filtering This consists of using our personal frame of reference to process
any information we get. Our frame of reference consist of ideas, conclusions, experiences,
preconceptions, values and beliefs that we have about life.

As an example, we disregard what someone is telling us because we dislike a trait about the
person. We dismiss their input beforehand.

Another example, we reject or ignore someone's ideas because their values are different than
ours.

So many barriers, so little time…

Actually, overcoming communication barriers is simpler than you think. Of all the barriers to
effective communication, the one that causes the most problems is not paying attention.

So, if you do nothing else to get rid of these barriers, do this: on an ongoing basis, take aside
some time to do some mindfulness exercises. You will notice that you're going to start paying
more attention to conversations, to people, and to life in general. This will go a long way towards
helping you really connect with people.

As you overcome each and every one of these barriers to effective communication, you'll be able
to enjoy closer and more authentic relationships with others in your life.

You'll connect with people in ways you hadn't anticipated.

But more importantly, you'll feel at ease in practically any situation, confident that you'll be able
to handle it.

Copyright © 2009 - 2010 | People Communicating | All Rights Rserved

http://www.people-communicating.com/barriers-to-effective-communication.html

Barriers to communication and ways to reduce them

Posted in MCham78's blog 2008-11-23

What is a communications barrier?

It can be anything that distorts or hinders information from its intended recipient(s).
I will be discussing the barriers to effective communication and ways to overcome these barriers.

Barriers to communication

• Encoding Barriers

• Transmitting Barriers

• Decoding barriers

• Responding Barriers

Encoding Barriers

• Insufficient knowledge of the subject: The receiver is bound to misunderstand or receive

a mixed message, if the sender does not have specific information about something.

• To overcome or minimise this barrier, for instance a sales person in a computer shop
needs to be conversant with the complicated terms used and be able to explain to a
customer in simple terms.
 • Lack of basic communication skills: If the sender is unable to choose the right words and
arrange them grammatically, then the receiver will most-likely to misunderstand the
message.

• To eliminate this, the sender needs to have the communications skills needed to convey
both oral and written communication.

Transmitting Barriers

• Physical barriers: Noise can generally be a physical barrier when using a cell phone in a
noisy environment. Using emails unprofessionally too can lead to misinformation.

• To minimise the effect this barrier is to use emails professionally and organise words in
correct grammar. Desist from using cell phones in noisy places or text messaging can be
an alternative.

• Channel barriers: When an inappropriate medium is chosen to convey information, this

will result in the receiver misunderstanding the message

• The channel of communication must be used to overcome such a barrier.

Decoding Barriers

• Emotional distraction: an intensely emotional individual may be preoccupied with

emotions and certainly leads to misunderstanding a message passed to him.

• To get rid of emotions, you must read or listen objectively to what the sender have to
write or say and not be ruled by your emotions.

• Emotional distraction: an intensely emotional individual may be preoccupied with

emotions and certainly leads to misunderstanding a message passed to him.
 • To get rid of emotions, you must read or listen objectively to what the sender have to
write or say and not be ruled by your emotions.

Responding Barriers

• No provision for feedback: If a receiver is not given enough room to ask for questions,
since communication is a two way process the receiver might misunderstand the
message.

• There must be provision for feedback in order to be sure that those at the receiving end
understands the message being conveyed.

• Inadequate feedback: Judgemental or impeded feedback can affect communication.

• Because instruction are given for a task to be performed. The sender must use simple
language and allow feedback from the receiver to ensure there is a thorough
understanding.

Conclusion

Effective communication is a desirable element for a company’s success, whether it

is at the interpersonal, intergroup, organisational, or external levels organisations
must ask themselves this question. How will they encourage others to be aware of
potential barriers?
To work to overcome them in order to maintain effective communication within
their organisations.

http://www.thoughts.com/MCham78/barriers-to-communication-and-ways-to-reduce-
them