Getting a clear message across to others in the workplace is so critical in business, particularly for those in senior management roles. In order to do this, it's so important to consider what barriers might exist that will impede us from communicating effectively. There are in fact many potential barriers to effective communication, but here we present three of the most commonly encountered barriers, along with suggestions on how to remove them:
#1 Perception
The assumptions and judgements we have already made about others has a big impact on how much of an effort we make to communicate well with them. There is a tendency to 'write someone off' if they don't conform to our ideas of appropriate dress, speech, or manner. We often disregard people that we perceive, even subconsciously, to be 'beneath us' in rank or intelligence. This is a real problem, because nearly everyone has something worthwhile to contribute. Try to recognize when you 'writing someone off', and challenge your own assumptions. Then make a real effort as a
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#2 Culture and background
It is so important never to forget that other people are never entirely the same as us. They will have different experiences and beliefs like
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To combat this, take the time to consider the other person. Try to stand in their shoes for a minute and understand where they are coming from. If you are dealing with people from a different culture to your own, learn at least the basics about that culture – what people value, how they organize, what they dislike. Even a basic understanding like this will greatly assist in removing the barrier to communication that culture can often present.
#3 Stress and emotion
People who are under the influence of stress, or in an emotional state, will find it very difficult to listen or communicate effectively.
Inspirational speaker can contribute to reduce stress because they have power of communicating effectively. If the person you are talking to is clearly suffering from stress, or if the situation has become heated, be the person who calls for a 'time out'. If necessary, suggest that the conversation resumes after a break, for example after lunch or a coffee break, or even the next day. It's amazing how some time to reflect and to return to a calmer state of mind can vastly improve the chances of effective two-way communication.
