Barriers And Obstacles

There are several barriers that affect the flow of communication in an organisation. These barriers.  Interrupt the flow of communication from the sender to the receiver, thus making communication ineffective. It is essential for managers to overcome these barriers. The main barriers of communication are summarised below.  Interrupt the flow of communication from the sender to the receiver, this making communication ineffective. It is essential for managers to overcome these barriers. .

This is a barrier to communication. Individuals from other backgrounds may use verbal communication to express what they think, however they could also use non-verbal communication to be understood.

Inappropriate use of communication tools and geographical distance can be easily circumvented with modern technology. However, one physical communication barrier that is harder to avoid is noise disruptions. The world is a noisy place and sometimes noise can make it hard to understand what is being said. While often modern technology can help eliminate noise barriers, sometimes noise barriers cannot be helped. The best way to combat this issue is to acknowledge that noise barriers exist and to make sure that information is understood when that circumstance transpires.

The understanding of those barriers to which prevent information from being received can allow for better communication throughout the department.

These barriers are found in the organizational setting and they can be broadly divided into barriers from employees and barriers from employers. Barriers from employees are low levels of motivation, refusal to cooperate as well as strained relationships with he employer. On the other hand, barriers from employers include inadequate trust in their workers, inadequate knowledge of clues of a nonverbal nature such as posture as well as facial expressions etc. For effective communication to take place, the listener can enhance his listening skills. Fully developed listening skills guarantee the successful receipt of the message that is heard (Schwartz 2001). Another way of enhancing effective communication includes avoiding multiple communication channels and doing away with the various intermediaries.

To communicate successfully one must express thoughts and emotions clearly. Sometimes the emotional barriers can hinder one 's ability to effectively communicate. Physical barriers are the facets of the surroundings that obstruct the flow of information. This could be radios which are not working correctly and prevent the officer from transmitting his communications. Anything that prevents or slows down the progress of the giving or receiving of information is considered a physical barrier. Semantics is another form of communication barrier, which results in the inability to communicate clearly. Semantic problems occur when there is a failure to agree on the connotation of certain expressions (Wallace & Roberson, 2009). The meaning of certain terms may not be interpreted the same by different people.

| Physical barriers such as noise and temperature are easily overcome, try turning off the television or radio or setting the room to a more comfortable temperature.

* There may be a barrier to normal methods of communication like a longer distance or a noisy environment.

The next barrier type is personal. These barriers can occur for both the sender and receiver. Ones’ ability to send or receive information is effected by many factors. Mood, prejudices against another person, another team, your listening skills, method of communication, all can lead to erroneous interpretations, or level of understanding. Here are tips to help gain overall better communication with your team, peers, and your manager(s).

1) Barriers with superiors: This when the superiors feel that there may be a challenge to their position and authority. This is when the superiors are not confident in their ability and fear that any communication with their juniors could lead to their deficiencies being exposed.

A barrier blocks and stops something from getting through. There are different types of communication barriers that stop communication from going well. Three types of communication barriers are shown below.

Many people face barriers in their life. Merriam Webster’s School Dictionary states that barriers are something immaterial that separates. Some people face barriers every day such as a fear of heights,and a different language.

Barriers to communication refer to obstacles that ideas and messages face before reaching the receiver. Language barriers occur when the receiver does not fully understand information conveyed by the sender. This occurs in the work place when orders and instruction pass to employees and employees fail to understand what the actual message and how they should respond. Dubrin argues, "Insiders but not outsiders understand technical or professional/jargon language" (443). Language barrier can occur in all levels of the organization not necessarily between the top and bottom. Emotional barriers occur if the message is not appealing to the receiver; it may arouse emotion and feelings that may lead to misunderstanding and misinterpretation. Proper interpretation of the message

Another way interpersonal communication can be looked at uses the Shannon and Weaver model, which breaks up the process into five parts. The information source, transmitter (sender), receiver, destination, and noise, which is sometimes involved (Hill, 2007). Noise is anything that can get in the way of the clarity of a message. An example could be a crackle through the phone line, or an interruption from a third party. Noise can create complications within interpersonal communication, and make it harder for the message to be delivered clearly (Hill, 2007).

* Interpersonal barriers exist when closeness is the aim of interpersonal contact where there is a high level of honesty and acceptance of yourself and others. As stated in the reading nobody knew that Ellen bohn were hired until he showed up at the plant. The security guard didn’t even know who he was during his arrival at the plant.