The biggest of the many communication barriers that can arise
is likely to be YOU

This page describes common communication barriers; how to avoid the barriers of communication; and key points for overcoming communication barriers when or if they occur. It begins by revising what is communication and the importance of communication. In particular, it covers the importance of communication skills in overcoming barriers to effective communication.

Barriers of communication may be common but are they inevitable?

Let's briefly revisit the definition of communication we have used before:

Communication means:

* success in conveying one's meaning to others, and

* communication IS (i.e. everything you do, and don't do, and how you do it, and don't do it, conveys a message, intended or not).

When we described the importance of communication, we recognised that communication barriers may lie with others, or something external to ourselves, but lie often with ourselves, because of:

* our values and beliefs

* our thinking preferences and positive thinking habits

* our self esteem, and

* how we harness and use our inner resourcefulness.

What are the most common communication barriers?:

Rather than make an endless list of all the things that could act as barriers to effective communication, let's use the definition of communication above.

Here are the 5 most likely barriers of communication that will arise in the process and some thoughts for overcoming communication barriers:

1. a message is transmitted but it does not reach the intended receiver.

This is the most basic of the communication barriers. For example, I am away when you call me and you leave a message for me with someone else who loses it or forgets to tell me.

Your message never reached me and neither you or I may be aware that this has happened.

So, before you interpret no response from me negatively, you may choose to check out if I even got the message.

2. a message is transmitted and, although it does reach the intended receiver, s/he is not conscious of it.

Maybe you transmit a message to me and, although I'm standing right next to you, I miss the message or focus on something else you said or misinterpret your meaning or I am preoccupied or day dreaming......etc.

Most of us have experienced this from both ends at some time or other.

If the receiver does not become aware that they missed the message themselves, you will have either to give some feedback to them or choose to re-transmit the message differently, using the golden triangle of communications

3. a message reaches the receiver, who is conscious of it, but doesn't understand it.

There are many communication barriers that might adversely affect understanding and one of the most common is the language used by the transmitter.

How would you know whether someone had understood accurately your message?

Usually by what happens next. For example, the next comment they make or question they ask and how it relates to your message. Or, there may be some body language signals.

In all cases, where you suspect or know that the barriers in communication are about understanding, you will need to use your basic interpersonal communication skills, especially effective listening techniques, asking effective questions and summarising regularly.

4. a message reaches the receiver, who is conscious of it and understands it, but the message is useless to them.

For example, many moons ago, in a chemical factory where employees worked in a hot, steamy environment containing open vats of acid, they were provided with personal protective equipment including safety goggles.

Despite this, numerous eye accidents occurred (e.g. splashes) because workers refused to wear the goggles provided.

The company was very concerned and invested in safety campaigns, posters, training of supervisors, safety sessions for workers etc., but still (some) employees would take risks rather than wear the goggles.

The company recognised that this was not only a safety issue but a communications issue and set about trying to identify what were the communication barriers involved.

Clearly, the message reached the workers and they were conscious of it and understood it BUT was it useful?

How would you find out?

Reverse the roles and become a listener (i.e. stop transmitting and become a receiver).

When the company stopped telling the employees that they must wear the goggles and started asking them why they didn't, and genuinely listened to the answers, they learned that from the workers' point of view:

* the goggles were uncomfortable to wear and steamed up in the environment

* managers didn't wear goggles when passing through the area

* not all parts of the work environment were dangerous but employees were expected to wear the goggles all the time in all places

* it didn't matter too much as there was no disciplinary procedure if the goggles were not worn.

In particular, employees said that in the presence of vats of acid they felt that wearing goggles that steamed up was more dangerous then risking a splash in the eye by not wearing them.

In other words, whilst it was impossible to argue with the message to wear the safety goggles, from the employees' point of view the message was useless to them (unless the four points above were dealt with).

5. a message reaches the receiver that was never intentionally transmitted,

That is, messages may be received that were never sent (as far as the transmitter is concerned).

For example, on a very cold February morning I walked into a factory I had visited many, many times and knew most people well.

I met Bill, who I knew very well, and said to him in passing, "it's very cold this morning".

He stopped immediately and said, "what's wrong with the heating system?".

Surprised, I said, "nothing. I mean it's very cold outside".

Bill was the heating engineer and, by his reaction, I'm sure he felt that I was complaining about the heating.

That is, he received a message that I didn't (intentionally) transmit.

This happens more often than it should and it requires that the transmitter pays attention to the responses the transmission generates.

In addition to these communication barriers, other barriers to effective communication may include hardware issues such as faulty equipment or software, of course.

In the vast majority of cases, however, communication barriers stem from communication problems in relationships and can be avoided or corrected by improving listening skills.

Work on improving communication skills (e.g. by developing your non verbal communication skills; by practising listening exercises); take responsibility for communications; and build strong relationships based on mutual trust and respect (if you meet resistance from someone it nearly always indicates a lack of rapport).

Communication barriers come in all shapes and sizes but, if you pay particular attention to your own communication skills, you will probably deal effectively with most of them.
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