Top 10 barriers to effective communication in the workplace
Communicating effectively is a skill not everyone is equipped with. It is a skill that requires constant learning and practice. However, during the process of learning and practicing, the barriers to communication can easily come in the way. Hence, we need to be well prepared to acknowledge these obstacles and to not fall in their traps.
In this article, we shall be discussing:
· Effective communication in an organization.
· Importance of communication.
· The barriers to effective communication.
What is effective communication in the workplace?
The age old definition of effective communication is the exchange of information between two or more people to come to a mutual point of understanding. However, in today’s growing world, effective communication inculcates a lot more than that. Today, communication is more about understanding each other’s perspectives and emotions attached to that understanding. It helps all the parties involved in communication to put across their points, their understanding of those points and a feeling that they are being heard
However, it is not that effortless and easy. At times, we generally fall in the trap of drawing judgments without effectively listening to another person’s perspectives due to various reasons. It goes without saying that due to severe competition, frustrations, and stress related to our works, this process becomes even more difficult to accomplish.
Thus, in organizations, it is really important to implement ways to improve the communication skills of employees and the employer. In an article by Harvard Business Review, the statistics show that approximately 67% of the managers are not comfortable communicating with the employees in general.
Top 10 Barriers to Effective Communication.
Steven R. Covey said, “The biggest communication problem is we do not listen to understand. We listen to reply.”
Below are the 10 most common barriers to effective communication:
1. Disengagement: Effective communication is about engagement between the parties involved in communication. There are times when a person is involved in a conversation about which he has no interest. Also, the listener tends to get distracted easily in such situations. This creates a level disengagement between the speaker and listener and hence ruins the purpose of effective communication.
2. Lack of focus and attention: Consider a person using a mobile phone or thinking about what he will be doing this evening during a conversation. This will not only lead to confusion once the conversation ends but also leaves a bad impression on the speaker. You may tend to miss certain nonverbal cues from the conversation. Thus you cannot communicate effectively while multi-tasking.
Always try to avoid distractions, stay focused, and attentive to have effective communication for better results.
3. Differences in perception and understanding: Differences in opinion can be an obstacle during a conversation. The reasons behind this can be a person’s level of understanding or experience related to the topic of discussion. It is often difficult for a group to come up with a decision with such varied perceptions and viewpoints. Thus, we must always try to acknowledge each other’s opinions and try to draw a conclusion that best suits the organization in the long run.
4. Language barrier: Communicating with the person who is unable to understand the language being spoken creates a lot of hassle especially during a meeting which requires a decision taking. There are instances where even though the language is familiar but the accent is not. Thus, it may lead the listener to misinterpret the speaker or even offense at times. Thus, you need to speak in a direct and clear manner for the other party to understand.
5. Technical Jargon: Using jargon or expressions that the people are not acquainted with might lead to serious misunderstandings about the topic being discussed. Nowadays, people tend to use a lot of abbreviations and slang during a meeting which doesn’t leave a good impression on the listener. Thus, avoid using these words and use simple language to communicate with the group.
6. Being Judgmental: It is normal for people to form opinions of one another during a conversation. However, when these opinions are formed while discussing a crucial topic that requires coordination, then people become judgmental of one another. They may start diagnosing or criticizing each other’s opinions. Each person may want to impose his perception in practice. This whole situation will ultimately impact the business as the team might not be able to take a decision keeping the organization’s mission, vision, and value in mind.
7. Lack of listening skills: Listening skills are the most important part of effective communication at a workplace. When a person is unable to listen to the speaker effectively because of reason like lack of interest or attention, then the purpose of the discussion gets ruined. It is a skill that lets a person understand the meaning of the conversation beyond words; by drawing inferences and not making assumptions of what the speaker might be saying.
8. Lack of Knowledge/General awareness: Not being updated with the current situation happening around the world will affect your contribution to a conversation. You might feel a disconnect as you are not abreast of the references being made in a discussion.
Thus one must always follow up with the current discussions going on around the world to effectively participate in a discussion.
9. Physical disability: Hearing impairment, speech problem, impaired eyesight, or any physical illness can sometimes act as a barrier. It can interfere with effective communication in the workplace.
10. Cultural Differences: It is often seen that people tend to make assumptions based on the culture of the other person. Thus, the norms of interaction can vary with the work culture. Hence, it is important to find a common ground for effective communication. Also, one must always try to adapt to the work culture of the organization to communicate effectively.
In a survey done by Watson Wyatt, “The study shows that companies that communicate effectively had a 47% higher return to shareholders over a five-year period (mid-2004 to mid-2009).” Thus, the organizations must focus on the utmost importance of effective communications and ways to tackle the barriers in communication.
Let’s talk…
I hope you found this article helpful and gained some insights into overcoming the barriers to effective communication. If you want to read more about communication at workplace kindly click here.