BARRIERS TO

COMMUNICATION
 COMMON BARRIERS TO
COMMUNICATION

1. SEMANTICS
 Definition of words

 Choice of words
 COMMON BARRIERS TO
COMMUNICATION
2. POOR CHOICE, USE OF CHANNELS
 When to use certain channel

 Oral alone:
• Simple reprimand
• Settle simple dispute
 Written alone:
• Don’t need immediate feedback
• Need record
 COMMON BARRIERS TO
COMMUNICATION

2. USE OF CHANNELS
 Both channels:
• Commendation
• Serious reprimand
• Important policy change
 Nonverbal
• Be aware of it.
 COMMON BARRIERS TO
COMMUNICATION

3. PHYSICAL DISTRACTIONS
4. NOISE, PHYSICAL,
PSYCHOLOGICAL

5. STATUS DIFFERENCE
6. EFFECTS OF EMOTIONS
 COMMON BARRIERS TO
COMMUNICATION

7. PERCEPTIONS
 Stereotypes
 Halo effects
 Selective perception
• See and hear what we expect
• Ignore if conflicts with “what we know.”

 Projection
 COMMON BARRIERS TO
COMMUNICATION

8. FILTERING, SCREENING
NEGATIVE INFORMTAION
9.EVALUATING THE SOURCE
10.ABSENCE OF FEEDBACK,
POOR FEEDBACK
 COMMON BARRIERS TO
COMMUNICATION

11. INFORMATION, DATA

OVERLOAD

12. POOR LISTENING

 LISTEN TO RESPOND
 LISTEN TO UNDERSTAND
 TO OVERCOME BARRIERS:
Learn to use feedback well.
Be sensitive to receiver’s point of view.
Listen to UNDERSTAND!
Use direct, simple language, or at least
use language appropriate to the receiver.
Use proper channel(s). Learn to use
channels well.
Learn to use supportive
communication, not defensive
communication.
 STRATEGIES TO
REDUCE FEAR
• Know your Environment
• Know your Audience
• Know your Speech
• Learn to Relax
• Visualize a Successful Speech
• Evaluate Yourself
Things You Shouldn’t Do

• Read directly from notes

• Read directly from screen
• Turn back on audience
• Slouch, hands in pockets
• No um, ah, you know’s, so
• No nervous gestures
• Talk too fast,
• Talk too quietly
Things You Should Do

• Eye contact
• Can glance at
notes
• Appropriate
gestures
• Rhetorical
questions to
involve audience
 Ten Successful Tips
Control the ―Butterflies‖

• Know the room- become familiar with the

place of presentation
• Know the audience- greet or chat with the
audience before hand. It’s easier to speak
to friends than to strangers
• Know your material-increased nervousness
is due to un-preparedness
 Control the ―Butterflies‖

• Relaxation- relax entire body by stretching

and breathing so as to ease the tension

• Visualize giving your speech-Visualize

yourself giving your speech from start to
finish. By visualizing yourself successful,
you will be successful
 Control the ―Butterflies‖

• People want you to succeed-the audience is

there to see you succeed not to fail

• Don’t apologize-by mentioning your

nervousness or apologizing, you’ll only be
calling the audience’s attention to mistakes
 Control the ―Butterflies‖

• Concentrate on your message-not the

medium. Focus on the message you are
trying to convey and not on your anxieties

• Turn nervousness into positive energy-

nervousness increases adrenaline, transform
it into vitality and enthusiasm
 Control the ―Butterflies‖

• Gain experience-experience builds

confidence, which is key to effective public
speaking