When communicating, there are impediments to successful transmission and receipt of the message. These barriers can be due to any number of factors. To ensure effective communication, you need to be cognizant of these barriers.
1. Language – Use of overly technical terms or jargon and disjointed talking points can leave the listener confused. If your language is not the listener’s native language this could present a barrier, as could dialect and inflection.
2. Mixed signals – Nonverbal communication needs to be consistent with what is being conveyed.
3. Mind-set – Attitude, bias, and preconceived notions affect communication.
4. Emotions – If someone is angry, resentful, or had a negative experience with the individual or organization, there may be resistance to the message. If someone has a poor self-image or lacks confidence, he or she will have a hard time getting their point across.
5. Assumptions – Confirm the audience has a grasp of the basic tenets of the subject matter, otherwise you are talking over their head. In a business presentation, ensure what you are presenting is of value to the customer and provides differentiation.
6. Culture – Business, social norms and customs can vary greatly depending upon the country. Ensure they are understood and addressed properly.
7. Gender – There is a difference is communication styles between genders, including issues involving emotional quotients, conflict resolution, and relationship building.
8. Physical – Distances between offices, organizations, and people are all examples. A noisy environment, poorly laid out conference room, and sub-par acoustics are also contributing factors.
9. Technology – If someone is working on their computer, looking at their phone, or texting while you are talking, they will retain little of what was said.
10. Timing – Communicating something at the wrong time or with short notice may result in the individual being caught unaware and may evoke a negative or emotional response.