Seven Barriers to an effective communication

What are the Barriers to an effective communication?

The things which makes effective communication complex, difficult, and frustrating are the barriers we put in the way. 

These barriers are as follows:

1.  Physical barriers:

The main physical barriers are Time, Place, Climate and Noise.These factors are as follows;

     • Time:Time has an important role in a communication process. These expressions indicate the role of time as a factor in communication.Every concern has to choose a fast channel of communication with good alternatives. You have to choose a face-to-face oral communication channel to give instructions to a worker,  a visual signal in crowd management and a courier system to reach clientele spread over and at distance and so on.

      •Space:Space plays an important role in an oral communication situation. It can act as a barrier to communication or act as an aid promoting good communication. Experts classify an oral communication situation on the basis of the distance maintained between sender and receiver.

    •Place:A simple comparison of the surroundings in a Government / Municipal office and the ambiance provided in a multinational company will show how place and surroundings play an important role in effective communication. 

     •Noise:Noise is a physical barrier to effective communication. You do not achieve effective communication by merely shouting. Effective communication is almost impossible on the factory floor, the bus stand or railway station. 

2.  Language barriers:

Language describes what we want to say in our terms may present barriers to others who are not familiar with our Language. When we present  our communication in such language, it is a way of excluding others. 

3.      Gender barriers

There are distinct differences between the speech patterns in a man and those in a woman.The gender barriers is also  A woman speaks between 21,000 and 24,000 words a day whereas a man speaks between 7,500 and 10,500.

4.      Lack of Subject Knowledge:

If a person who sends a message lacks subject knowledge then he may not be able to convey his message clearly. The receiver could misunderstand his message, and this could lead to a barrier to effective communication

5.      Stress:

When a person is under immense stress, he may find it difficult to understand the message, leading to communication distortion. At the time of stress, our psychological frame of mind depends on our beliefs, experiences, goals and values. Thus, we fail to realize the essence of communication.