COMMUNICATION AND

ITS BARRIERS
COMMUNICATION
Communication implies exchange of
information and understanding among
people
It involves:
transmission and reception of messages
People
Process
Effective communication in an organization
is important for a manager to perform the
following functions :

•Planning
•Organizing
•Staffing
•Implementing
•Controlling
 Interpersonal Communication

Definition – A process whereby

understanding is achieved between
individuals.
To achieve mutual understanding we
need to acquire:

 Effective communication and listening

skills
Effective communication involves:
 Sound understanding of the communication
process
 Source, Symbols, Receiver, Feedback

Effective listening enhances mutual

understanding:
 Listening vs. hearing
 Remaining objective

 Asking better questions

 Functions of Interpersonal
Communication
Gaining Information: One reason we engage in
interpersonal communication is so that we can gain
knowledge about another individual.. We can better
predict how they will think, feel, and act if we know who
they are.

Building a Context of Understanding :We also engage

in interpersonal communication to help us better
understand what someone says in a given context. The
words we say can mean very different things depending
on how they are said or in what context.
Establishing Identity : Another reason we engage in
interpersonal communication is to establish an identity.
The roles we play in our relationships help us establish
identity.

Interpersonal Needs : we engage in interpersonal

communication because we need to express and receive
interpersonal needs.

Control : is the need to exercise leadership and prove one's

abilities. Groups provide outlets for this need. Some
individuals do not want to be a leader. For them, groups
provide the necessary control over aspects of their lives.

Affection : is the need to develop relationships with

people. Groups are an excellent way to make friends and
establish relationships
 What are Barriers?
Anything that prevents successful
communication from occurring
Complex and multi-layered
Can be technical or generated by the
medium used, etc. but:
Main problem is human behaviour and
psychology
Knowing the common
barriers to
communication is the
first step to minimizing
their impact.
Communication Barriers
categorized as-

Sender related barriers

Situation related barriers
Receiver related barriers
Sender Related Barriers
Communication goals
- Must be come goal or objective

Communication skills
- Clarity of thought, grammatical accuracy, etc.

Interpersonal sensitivity
- Sensitivity to receiver’s feelings

Differing frames of reference

- Common field of experience
Sender Related Barriers
Non-Verbal Signals
- Tone of voice, facial expression, etc.

‘Either Or’ Thinking

- Rigidity, Black/White thinking

Fear
- Affects communication skills adversely

Sender’s Credibility
- Receiver’s perception of Sender’s reliability
Situation Related Barriers
Jargon
Information overload
Time Pressure
Climate
Distance
Noise
Mechanical failure
Murphy’s laws
Receiver Related Barriers
Selective and poor listening
Faking attention
Listening too hard for small details such that major points are missed
Refusing to listen difficult subject matter
Dismissing a subject permanently as uninteresting

Evaluating the source

Perceptions
Stereotyping , Projection , Halo effects.
Lack of Feedback
Meta communications
Strategies to Overcome
the Barriers

Sender’s Responsibilities

Receiver’s Responsibilities
Sender’s Responsibilities
Goals
Language
Empathy
Credibility
Feedback
Face to Face communication
Redundancy
Receivers Responsibilities
Listening
Avoid premature judgement
Responsive feedback
Facilitating communication:

 Making communication goal oriented.

 Experiment with communication
alternatives.
 Working at communication skills.
 A positive attitude about
communication.
 Constrain Emotions
Summary…

Communication is at the heart of many

interpersonal problems faced by employers.

Understanding the communication process

and then working at improvement provide
managers a recipe for becoming more
effective communicators.
Thank You!