Barriers to Effective Communication
Ideally, effective communication in organizations is attained when the message sent corresponds with the message received. However, communication barriers may emerge within the communication process, leading to misunderstanding or misconception of the message. Communication barriers are quite detrimental in any organization because they interfere with the productivity of employees and the entire organization. Some of the obstacles to effective communication include failure to understand the receiver’s needs, poor choice of language, poor listening, diverse cultural background, and poor feedback.
Communication can be ineffective because of failure to appreciate the receiver’s needs. This can happen when the sender of information fails to utilize his/her emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence involves understanding one’s feelings and utilizing feelings to direct others through decision-making (Dwyer 67). Some speakers tend to be manipulative in their talks, rather than focusing on the needs of their listeners. For instance, the manager may be deeply obsessed with profits and rarely talks on employee motivation. Such obsession may make employees feel frustrated, and in turn reduce their productivity. Employees’ productivity may not improve if their needs are not addressed during general meetings. Thus, failing to honor employees’ needs leads to ineffective communication.
Poor choice of language is detrimental in the passage of information because different persons in the same situation can construe words in numerous ways. When the sender utilizes unfamiliar language to his/her subject, the receiver may perceive the message in a subjective way and may not take it with the seriousness that it deserves. Poor choice of language may result in conflict, as individuals strive to express their opinions concerning particular information. Conflicts in the workplace usually raise tension as they soar into misunderstanding. Communication can only be termed as effective if listeners understands fully what the speaker intended to convey.
Poor listening may lead to distortion of information delivery and, consequently ineffective communication. Speakers may fail to organize their message in a coherent manner, which could make listeners lose concentration and become inactive listeners. According to Dwyer, the receiver may become bored, lose interest, or develop a dislike towards the speaker, hence, leading to poor listening (255). Distractions within the listener’s physical environment may also amount to poor listening. Poor listening makes conversation lose its flow leading to misconception of information.
Communication can become ineffective when the sender and receiver come from diverse cultural backgrounds. When the sender comes from a certain cultural background, he/she utilizes certain words or language, based on his/her perception of the world. Consequently, people’s culture and experience enable them to understand new information differently, leading to distortion in communication. When communicating with people from different backgrounds, speakers should strive to adopt a language that corresponds with their communication pattern (Nitin 5). Utilitarian approach advocates for the utmost good for a maximum number of individuals, hence, understanding people’s cultural background is critical in making communication effective.
Poor feedback is an illustration of ineffective communication, as feedback determines whether the receiver comprehensively understood the message. The way the listeners respond to information determines the effectiveness of the sender, as feedback stimulates further communication. For instance, if listeners do not ask questions, it implies that they did not understand the message. Poor feedback amounts to ineffective decision making, as the receiver does not understand effectively what the sender really wanted. When sanction employees, managers may face psychological barriers, as employees endeavor to confront fear from their bosses. Besides, negative organizational climate hinders normal flow of information, leading to poor feedback.
Communication barriers should be eliminated in organizations because they hamper organizational productivity. When listeners feel that their needs are not addressed, they may opt to respond negatively to the message. Managers should avoid use of certain language, as employees may perceive such language in different ways. Poor listening is harmful in the passing of message, particular when the sender fails to organize the message. When receivers are from different cultural backgrounds, they may receive information differently, and this may be realized during feedback, where they are expected to demonstrate the understanding of the message. Hence, barriers to communication must be handled ethically in organizations to avoid negative outcomes.
Works Cited
Dwyer, Judith. Communication for business and the professions: Strategies and skills. Australia: Pearson, 2013. Print.
Nitin, Bhatnagar. Communicative english for engineers and professionals. Delhi: Pearson, 2010. Print.