Communication Barriers

Communication Barriers Definition

Let's start this explanation by clearly defining what communication is, the types of communication and what communication barriers are.

It's a simple definition, yet communication is one of the most important things we do daily. We use various channels to communicate with others:

• Oral communication: whether we talk to someone, give a speech, or even listen to the radio, we use verbal communication. It is one of the first channels that come to mind when discussing communication.

• Written communication: when we write an email, a text, or when reading a book or a post on social media, we use written language to communicate information.

• Non-verbal communication: this one is less obvious, but we all communicate through our body language. We sweat when we are hot; we nervously play with our car keys when we are in a hurry; our pupils are dilated when we fall in love. All those body queues give away information and are a type of communication channel.

• Visual communication: some pictures or icons can give us important information. We can understand the speed limit, the direction of the nearest toilet, and the poison logo on a detergent bottle. Those are all examples of communication through the visual channel.²

In other words, communication barriers could be anything that goes in the way of one of the communication channels we have seen earlier.

Communication Barriers Types

Communication barriers can get in the path of effective communication in various ways. Here are some of the most common communication barrier types you can come across:

• Language barriers: one of the most noticeable communication barriers. When people don't have a common language, they can't communicate properly. Even if there is a common language between two people, sometimes the difference in language understanding or even a regional accent could be a barrier to effective communication.

• Psychological barriers: people can have psychological blocks or issues that can negatively affect communication.

• Emotional barrier: people can have negative emotions or complicated relations with someone else, which can negatively affect communication.

• Physiological barriers: when people have physical traits that make communicating more complicated: such as if someone cannot articulate properly, stutters, or has a throat disease.

• Physical barriers: the most visible communication barriers are, of course, the physical ones. When people are physically separate from one another: if they are in another room, are miles away, or have something obstructing their view.

• Perceptual barriers: this is about how people perceive the world; it's about their own bias that distorts reality and the way they perceive communication.

• Cultural barriers: people coming from different cultures have different perceptions, ideologies, and values. They often have less in common with someone from another part of the world. Those differences can affect their communication.

• Gender barriers: it has been proved that men and women tend to communicate differently, which affects their communication and understanding.

• Technological barriers: although it might be easier to communicate with someone on the other side of the planet, thanks to new technologies, it's not easy for everyone, and people can struggle with them.

• Interpersonal barriers: related to the relationship you have with the person you are communicating with. You cannot talk to your manager like your best friend or child.

Effect of Communication Barriers

Miscommunication and communication barriers can negatively affect an organization in many ways:

The first people those barriers can affect are the employees themselves. As they miscommunicate, they might not get along, go against each other, create destructive office politics, etc.

Miscommunication between people can directly affect production and customer service.

The safety of the employee can be threatened as well. Poor communication over safety measures can have catastrophic consequences that might even result in people's accidental injury or death.

In other words, communication barriers can affect the company at every level and might even threaten the company's mission and vision over the long term.

Process Communication Barriers

There are two ways to overcome communication barriers:

• Specific: where you target individual communication barriers and find an appropriate solution for each one.

• General: where you encourage a different organization's culture that is more patient and focuses on those issues.

Ideally, you would do both simultaneously to ensure the best result.

Specific

The first step to overcoming communication barriers is to recognize that there are communication barriers in your organization. You must determine the specific communication barrier causing problems in your organization.

As we have seen earlier, there are different types of communication barriers; therefore, there is not one solution that can solve all the problems. Instead, the organization must implement different solutions for each type of barrier.

General

When finding solutions to communication barriers, you can implement a new company culture that will work towards solving those issues. For example, promoting a culture where everyone is more patient and listens more to one another will help solve communication barriers.

You can also help the situation by giving classes and training on effective communication and creating systems and tools to help employees solve those issues.

Communication barriers can threaten the proper flow of communication, which can have dramatic consequences. However, as there are different communication channels and barriers, there isn't one specific solution to correctly solve all communication issues. Instead, organizations must implement specific solutions targeting particular issues and general solutions targeting the overall communication process to help an organization communicate properly.