Barriers to Communication

Badly Expressed Message: Improper formulation and presentation of message can prove to be
detrimental to the growth of communication and therefore its impact on the receiver is sure to be negative.
As there is lack of comprehension on the part of the listener it leads to misunderstanding and subsequent
erection of barriers in the process of communication.
Loss in Transmission: While speaking or delivering an important point, part of the message might be
lost due to problems in the medium of transmitting the message. For example, speaking on the telephone.
It might happen that just when you wish to communicate an essential item of information disturbance in
the line might make the receiver miss out on an important part of the message. This would deprive the
message of the communicative impact.
Poor Retention: Poor retention either on the part of the sender or on the part of the receiver can create
problems or lead to misunderstanding. If it is the speaker he might posit contradictory points of view
which would often lead to a warped sense of understanding of the message. The receiver’s past or present
experiences with the sender prepare him for what is to follow. If ideas contrary to his expectations are
presented they create a sense of uncertainty in the mind of the receiver. Similarly if the receiver has poor
retention power he would, more often than not, get confused and this would lead to misunderstanding of
the message.
Inattentive Listening: Partial or marginal listening can distort the intent of the message. The receiver
could be paying heed partially to the spoken material and partially to his thought processes. In such
instances he is sure to misunderstand the intent of the spoken material. Listening is a process which
demands that full attention be paid to the spoken material. Any kind of noise or distraction may make the
receiver lose out on an important aspect of the spoken material. As a result of this, misunderstandings in
the process of communication are bound to arise.
Differing Status, Position and Self-expression: It is always easier to communicate at the peer level or
with friends. The primary reason for this is that the mental faculties or the levels of experience of the
speaker and the listener match. In case there is too much of a difference between the sender and the
receiver by virtue of their status or position or even experience which neither has attempted to bridge,
different frames of references would come to the fore. Trying to incorporate ideas posited in course of the
interaction within one’s own frame of reference would lead to discrepancies in the understanding of the
message. As a result of this, there arises a mismatch in the transmission and acceptance of ideas and
concepts floated.
Prejudices: Prejudice can also seriously impede the transmission of ideas. An unreasonable bias rejects
ideas without consideration. Although we usually relate prejudice to race, religion, and color, most of us
encounter it in a dozen other ways. It may be a simple but strongly held viewpoint (or perception) on the
part of the Chief Executive, or it may be the classic statement of the foreman: "Well, I've been here 28
years; we never tried it before, and I 'm sure it won't work now."
Of all the barriers to the clear communication of ideas, bias and prejudice are probably the most difficult
to eliminate. The usual answer is education, but that is a lengthy and sometimes frustrating job. Perhaps
a better way to overcome deep bias is to shoe people how they will benefit by following a specific course
of action. People can adjust their prejudices fast when their self-interest is at stake.
“I” Attitude: Too much usage of “I” can lead to an “I-syndrome”. Whenever we enter into any kind of
discussion it should be well-borne in mind that the co-interacting also needs to be included in the
discussion. If the “I-attitude” is changed to a “You-attitude” or “We-attitude” issues are going to get
relatively simplified. This would enlist the whole-hearted cooperation of the co-participant by inculcating

in him a feeling of being part of the entire discussion. The impression conveyed is that the speaker is not
leading the interaction or speaking from a higher pedestal.
Resistance to Change: Change is a process of life. One has to accept change. Similarly one needs to
change or reinforce the existing ideas in communication which is an ongoing activity. If fixed ideas are
entrenched in the mind and the receiver refuses to accept the change, positing of new concepts will be
ineffective. Being resistant to issues which are contrary to already existing ideas hampers the process of
communication.
Refutations and Arguments: Gearing oneself for refutations and arguments merely to score victory over
the speaker can divert the concentration of the receiver. Instead of listening attentively his interest will be
focused on attempts to prove the speaker incorrect. In the process of communication, discussions if they
are posited merely for the sake of making one’s presence felt in the course of communication.
Miscommunication can take a heavy toll of the participants who are interacting with each other. In the
corporate sector, the cost of miscommunication is high in terms of efficiency, time and money. It could
lead to indiscipline, misunderstanding, hostility and distortion of relationships. In instances such as these,
the level of work input is comparatively low and hence the output is also negligible. One is not able to
solicit the best out of the interact-ants or the participants. Hence, it is imperative that the moment
miscommunication creeps in; it should be rectified so that greater harmony in relationships at the work
front is maintained.