E. communication barriers by Allah Dad Khan

2. E.Communication Barriers
A Lecture
By
Allah Dad Khan
Visiting Professor
Agriculture University
Peshawar

7. 1. Physical /Environmental Barriers

8. Barriers to Physical Communication
• There are a host of physical factors that can
prevent individuals from having an effective
communication. Physical barriers relate to
disturbance in the immediate milieu, which
can interfere in the course of an effective
communication.

9. 1. Environment
• A. Barriers to Physical Communication
There are a host of physical factors that can
prevent individuals from having an effective
communication. Physical barriers relate to
disturbance in the immediate milieu, which
can interfere in the course of an effective
communication.

10. 1. Environment Contd
Place
• B. he ambience in which you are having a
conversation also plays an important part in
the quality of a conversation. If the place is
too noisy, or two crowded, you may not be
able to clearly listen to the speaker

11. 1. Environment contd
• C. For example, if you are having a
conversation with someone along the
roadside, the noise of the passing vehicles can
make it difficult for you to concentrate on
what you are saying, apart from interfering in
effective listening. Similarly, if you are talking
to someone in scorching heat, then the
physical discomfort can easily cause you to be
disinterested in the conversation.

12. 2. Distance
• A. Distance also plays an important part in determining
the course of a conversation. For example, if the staff in
an organization are made to sit in different buildings or
different floors, they might have to substitute face to
face communication with phone calls or emails.
B. This prevents the employees to have effective
communication with each other. For example, if a
manager and his subordinate are seated at different
buildings of an organization, then the manager may
have to give out instructions over the phone or over
the email, which can sometimes lead to a lack of
effective communication.

13. 3. Ignorance of Medium
• A.Communication also includes using signs and
symbols to convey a feeling or a thought. However, if
there is a lack of ignorance about the medium in which
sender is sending the message, the conversation can be
hampered.
•
B.For example, the use of signs to communicate can be
seen in games like soccer and hockey, where players do
not want the opposing team to know about their plans
and may converse through codes and signs. However, if
a member of a team is not acquainted with these signs,
it can lead to a lack of communication

14. 4.PhysicalDisability
• A. Physical disability can also prove to be a barrier for
effective communication.
B. People with physical disabilities generally are at a
disadvantage when it comes to gaining employment.
C.They have been marginalized through ages, and this can
cause them to have a low self-esteem and social anxiety.
D.It can cause a physically challenged person to have face
difficulties in self-disclosure and can hamper his interpersonal
skills.

15. 4.PhysicalDisability Contd
• E. One physiological barrier to communication is a hearing impairment.
Hearing disorders can result from hereditary or genetic issues,
developmental abnormalities, medical conditions such as infections, or
other environmental or traumatic factors
• F. Speech disorders are a common physiological barrier to communication.
This includes different types of disorders such as stuttering, apraxia and
dysarthria. Stuttering hinders the fluency of communication with
prolonged speech sounds and repetitions of parts of words or entire
words
• G. A person who is vision impaired is not able to see mood suggestive
facial expressions and body language, is not able to see whom they are
speaking with, may not understand language which is spoken in a unclear
manner, and may find understanding conversations difficult and confusing.

21. 2. Perceptual Barriers

22. Perpetual barriers
• Perceptual barriers of communication are
internal barriers that occur within a person's
mind when the person believes or perceives
that the other person that they are going to
speak with will not understand or be
interested in what they have to say.

23. Perpetual barriers contd
• Perpetual barriers often cause communication
problems because the language employed by
the person with the perceptual barrier is often
sarcastic, dismissive or obtuse so the
conversational partner is not going to
understand what the person is saying to them
fully and the person is not going to
communicate anything of substance with the
conversational partner

24. Perpetual barriers contd
• An example of perceptual barriers can be seen
in films when a person starts to yell clipped
phrases at a person that they believe is deaf.
However, when that person turns out to not
be deaf, the person who was yelling not only
looks ridiculous, but realizes that he or she
was not able to actually communicate
anything of substance. This is a bias that gets
in the way of true effective communication

25. Perpetual barriers contd
• In business as in life, there are several kinds of
barriers of communication including
perceptual barriers, physical barriers,
emotional barriers, cultural barriers, language
barriers, gender barriers and interpersonal
barriers. Communication must be a two-way
street with both parties being open and being
ready to listen to one another

26. 3. Emotional Or Psychological Barriers

28. 1.Anger Hinders Communication
• Whether a heated argument has you upset
with the person you’re speaking to or a bad
day has you on edge with everyone around
you, anger can cause you to lash out and say
things you don’t mean. Anger can also affect
the way your brain processes information
given to you. For example, angry people have
difficulty processing logical statements,
limiting their ability to accept explanations
and solutions offered by other

29. 2.Pride Interferes with Listening
• Pride -- or the need to be right all the time --
will not only annoy others, it can shut down
effective communication. For example, you
might focus only on your perspective, or you
might come up with ways to shoot down
other people before you even listen to their
points

30. 3.Depression Demotivates You
• Depression, whether clinical or short-term, can cause a
person to isolate himself and block out
communication, altogether. Depression can also lead to
cold feelings toward loved ones, or irritating and
sarcastic remarks, suggests the University of Florida's
Counseling and Wellness Center in an article titled,
"How to Deal with Depression." However, those who
are depressed are often the ones in most need of social
support. While short-term sadness will eventually pass
– and perhaps more quickly if you open yourself to
communication -- clinical depression might require the
assistance of a mental health expert.

31. 4. Anxiousness Distracts You
• Anxiety has a negative impact on the part of your brain
that manages creativity and communication skills,
explains the University of Michigan's Department of
Psychiatry in "Anxiety." For example, your constant
worries can hinder your ability to concentrate on the
information you are giving or receiving. Irritability and
restlessness might also push others away from you,
decreasing the chances of effective or lengthy
communication. While a mental health professional
should address anxiety disorders such as post-
traumatic stress disorder or phobias -- typical anxiety,
like the anxiety you feel before giving a speech -- can
be managed with relaxation exercises

32. 4. Cultural Barriers

34. Social and Economic Conditions
• : Individuals may not communicate with each
other due to a difference in the status they hold
in society. For example people holding higher
ranks or posts or those with a higher position in
society may experience difficulty in
communicating with individuals holding lesser
ranks or those on a lower social status. In the
same way, those in a good economic condition
may not communicate openly with people in a
relatively lower financial status.

35. Behavior
• - cultural differences in body language and
other behaviors can also cause
miscommunications. For example, in the U.S.,
it is important to make eye contact with
someone who is speaking to you or they may
think you are distracted or uninterested.
However, in many Asian countries, eye contact
can be a sign of disrespect or a challenge to
authority.

36. Body Language
• There are many other cultural differences in
body language that can create barriers to
effective communication. Those include
differences in facial expressions, the use of
nodding to indicate agreement or
understanding, and the amount of space to
give someone with whom you are having a
conversation.

37. Stereotypes
• are assumptions people make about the
characteristics of members of a cultural or social
group. Many stereotypes are negative or even
hostile and are a serious barrier to workplace
communication. If you make a joke about
expecting your Latin American colleague to arrive
late for a meeting, you may damage your
professional relationship. While some cultures
may share a general set of characteristics, it is
never okay to assume that individual members of
a group have those same characteristics.

38. Cultural Background:
• People coming from different countries may
not find comfort in communicating or
coordinating easily with one another. When
people from different countries come
together, their way of thinking varies. Some
might be shy to communicate, while others
open for communication

39. Language and Accent:
• Language is one cultural barrier that is
observed in people coming from different
parts of the world. Many of us hesitate to
communicate with a foreigner because we are
unable to understand his language or accent.
For example, An Asian may not feel
comfortable talking to an Australian, owing to
his/her heavy English accent.

40. Religion:
• Being from different religions or castes can act
as a barrier to communicate on a personal or
professional level. Sometimes, a person may
feel uncomfortable communicating with
people from other religions. This is mainly
because of the difference in the beliefs they
share. Religious views impact the way one
thinks and can lead to differences of opinion

41. 5. Language Barriers

45. Translate all relevant documents
• into the primary language of your employees.
There are several free websites that translate
text from one language to another. However,
you have to be careful since the translation is
not always in the exact same dialect as that of
your employees. Also, sometimes the meaning
of a word used in written translation does not
always correspond to the meaning you wish to
convey in your work documents.

46. Use an interpreter
• whenever you give instructions or provide
feedback to your employees. There may be
someone in your organization who speaks
both languages fluently enough to convey
your message to your employees. Find
someone who you trust to translate your
instructions and feedback properly.

47. Provide language classes
• for your employees on the basic language
requirements for your business. Teach them work
words, phrases, warnings, and other critical
communication elements that are necessary for
them to perform to your performance standards.
Teach the basics first. Give all of your employees
a “survival” crash course in the predominant
language of your workplace. Later, if you have the
desire and the resources, you can provide
additional opportunities for your employees to
learn the language skills they need in order to
“thrive” in the workplace.

48. Use both telling and showing methods of
training.
• Simplify your training methods, particularly
those that rely heavily on telling versus
showing. Demonstrate what you want and
then have the employees perform the
function as you observe their performance.
Re-demonstrate as often as needed until the
employees can perform the task successfully.

49. Use visual methods of communication
• more than audio. Show more than tell.
Explain it with pictures as much as possible.
Take a lesson from the airlines in how they
convey their safety instructions. Use pictures
in your instruction manuals rather than words.
Almost every step in every process can be
described in picture format. Give your
employees signs, cue cards or other methods
to help them learn.

50. Use repetition.
• As with any new concept, most people don’t
learn something the first time they hear it.
Employees need to hear the same message
over and over before they fully grasp it. Don’t
expect people to learn anything after being
told once. This is true of all of your employees
whether they have a language barrier or not.

51. Never raise your voice or over-enunciate your
words.
• Talk slower, not louder. Speak clearly, not
forcefully. People of a different language and
culture can hear fine. They probably also are
intelligent enough to grasp what you are
saying if you intelligently deliver your message
without talking down to them. Don’t speak
“Pidgin English.” Speak correct English the
correct way, just more clearly. People cannot
learn the language right if you don’t speak it
right.

52. Use simpler words with fewer syllables
• . Be aware of the complexities of your words.
Use more common words that convey your
message in simpler terms. Again, don’t talk
down; just use a less complex vocabulary.

53. Learn the basics of your employee’s language.
• If you want to communicate effectively and
build rapport with your employees you should
consider learning a few words and phrases in
their language.

54. Have the employee demonstrate their
understanding.
• Don’t assume the employee understands;
check for understanding. Ask the employee to
demonstrate that they know how to do what
you have asked them to do.

55. 6. Gender Barriers

56. Emotional Vs. Factual
• In the “Forbes” article “How to Be a Part of the
Male Conversations at Work,” author Heather R.
Huhman reports that women focus more on
feelings and tend to talk about people while men
focus more on facts and logic and tend to talk
about tangible things such as business or sports.
In addition, women use communication to gain
insight and understanding, often by asking a lot
of questions. Men, on the other hand,
communicate primarily to give and get
information and are less likely to ask questions.

57. Motivations
• When women meet new people, they focus on
learning about the other person and on
attempting to earn the other person’s trust by
showing an interest in him, explains relationship
author John Gray. Men, however, focus on
establishing their credibility by talking about their
achievements, their responsibilities at work and
what they have to offer. They expect women to
do the same and may not take a woman seriously
if she doesn’t quickly establish what she can do
as a professional.

58. Misunderstandings
• Gender specialist Barbara Annis says many men report
that a woman may interpret what they say in a way
they didn’t expect, causing men to feel unsure about
how to approach a topic when discussing it with a
woman. When women and men attempt to
communicate with no understanding of the other’s
communication style, they may come across in a way
they didn’t intend. For example, because women tend
to focus more on relationship-building when meeting
new people, men may doubt their professionalism. On
the other hand, because men tend to be more direct
and focused on their achievements, women may
perceive them as too aggressive.

59. Effects of Differences
• The differences in the way men and women
communicate can lead inadvertently to conflict,
inhibiting communication between colleagues and
hindering productivity. In her “Forbes” article, Huhman
quotes gender diversity expert Connie Glaser, who says
“The problem between men and woman in the
workplace is not the fact that they play by a different
set of rules. The problem is that they don’t know these
rules.” Huhman adds that when this lack of
understanding causes disagreement, men may be able
to move on more quickly than women, for whom the
conflict has more widespread and long-lasting effects.

60. Stereotypes
• Men and women have a history of being painted into a
box of stereotypical personalities from childhood. Boys
are brawny and brash, girls are giddy and gossipy. Boys
grow up as men who have been illustrated as
impatient, unemotional, detached enigmas whose
emotions are seemingly untouchable. Women are
portrayed as wearing their emotions on their sleeves
and coddling everyone and everything they come in
contact with. Basing gender communication on
childhood fantasies creates a battle of the sexes that
can foster barriers.
•

61. Patience
• Patience, or lack thereof, is a barrier to any type of
communication. Being educated to the facts of what
makes genders different and what works is not simple.
The process of bridging the gap in gender
communication requires a great deal of patience and
understanding that only time and attention will teach.
Patience may be literally stopping what you’re doing or
saying midway to redirect your approach in a way that
helps make the way you communicate with the
opposite gender work.
•

62. 7. Inter
personal
Barriers

63. 1. Lack of Sensitivity to Receiver

64. 2. Lack of Basic Communication Skills.
• The receiver is less likely to understand the
message if the sender has trouble choosing
the precise words needed and arranging those
words in a grammatically-correct sentence.

65. 3. Insufficient Knowledge of the Subject.
• If the sender lacks specific information about
something, the receiver will likely receive an
unclear or mixed message. Have you shopped
for an item such as a computer, and
experienced how some salespeople can
explain complicated terms and ideas in a
simple way? Others cannot

66. 4.Information Overload
4.Information Overload

67. 5. Emotional Interference.
• An emotional individual may not be able to
communicate well. If someone is angry,
hostile, resentful, joyful, or fearful, that
person may be too preoccupied with
emotions to receive the intended message. If
you don’t like someone, for example, you may
have trouble “hearing” them.

68. 6. Conflicting Messages
• . Messages that cause a conflict in perception for the
receiver may result in incomplete communication. For
example, if a person constantly uses jargon or slang to
communicate with someone from another country
who has never heard such expressions, mixed
messages are sure to result. Another example of
conflicting messages might be if a supervisor requests
a report immediately without giving the report writer
enough time to gather the proper information. Does
the report writer emphasize speed in writing the
report, or accuracy in gathering the data?

69. 7. Physical Distractions.
• A bad cellular phone line or a noisy
restaurant can destroy communication. If an
E-mail message or letter is not formatted
properly, or if it contains grammatical and
spelling errors, the receiver may not be able to
concentrate on the message because the
physical appearance of the letter or E-mail is
sloppy and unprofessional.
•

70. 8. Channel Barriers.
• If the sender chooses an inappropriate channel
of communication, communication may
cease. Detailed instructions presented over the
telephone, for example, may be frustrating for
both communicators. If you are on a computer
technical support help line discussing a problem,
it would be helpful for you to be sitting in front of
a computer, as opposed to taking notes from the
support staff and then returning to your
computer station.

71. 9. Long Communication Chain.
• The longer the communication chain, the
greater the chance for error. If a message is
passed through too many receivers, the
message often becomes distorted. If a person
starts a message at one end of a
communication chain of ten people, for
example, the message that eventually returns
is usually liberally altered.

72. 11. Emotional Distractions
• . If emotions interfere with the creation and
transmission of a message, they can also disrupt
reception. If you receive a report from your
supervisor regarding proposed changes in work
procedures and you do not particularly like your
supervisor, you may have trouble even reading
the report objectively. You may read, not
objectively, but to find fault. You may
misinterpret words and read negative
impressions between the lines. Consequently,
you are likely to misunderstand part or all of the
report.

73. 12. Lack of Interest
• . If a message reaches a reader who is not
interested in the message, the reader may
read the message hurriedly or listen to the
message carelessly. Miscommunication may
result in both cases.

74. 13. Lack of Knowledge.
• If a receiver is unable to understand a
message filled with technical information,
communication will break down. Unless a
computer user knows something about the
Windows environment, for example, the user
may have difficulty organizing files if given
technical instructions.

75. 14. Lack of Communication Skills.
• Those who have weak reading and listening
skills make ineffective receivers. On the other
hand, those who have a good professional
vocabulary and who concentrate on listening,
have less trouble hearing and interpreting
good communication. Many people tune out
who is talking and mentally rehearse what
they are going to say in return.

76. 15. Physical Distractions.
• If a receiver of a communication works in an
area with bright lights, glare on computer
screens, loud noises, excessively hot or cold
work spaces, or physical ailments, that
receiver will probably experience
communication breakdowns on a regular
basis.