OBSTACLES THAT AFFECT COMMUNICATION IN A COMMUNITY OR INDIVIDUAL

Communication is the process by which information is transferred and received from one individual or group to another, both within and outside the organization. It can take place either by verbal or non verbal form and uses a number of different channels to transmit the message. Some of the most common forms of communication include:

·         Written communication

·         Oral communication

·         Non verbal communication

·         Visual communication

Again, are made possible via electronic techniques. All these channels have their distinct advantages and disadvantages associated to them and must be used accordingly. Communication is also processes that enable us to learn about others via sharing experiences and passing information which establish and builds relationship being domestic, social or business and professionals.

Therefore, effective communication skills are required throughout our lifetime in order to achieve the following:

1.       Effective communication skills helps to build relationship internally and externally with individuals and groups when being transferred.

2.       To share ideas and values on work specific issues.

3.       To negotiate matters.

4.       To discuss personal or professional matters such as remuneration and other higher or lower level factors that may be affecting the group.

5.       To motivates interest and stimulates employees.

6.       To create awareness of the organization’s product or services and to persuade the external market as well.

7.       To receives feedback in other to monitor whether the communication was understood and the reaction of the recipient of the message.

OBSTACLES

It means something that prevents advancement or access. Therefore, communication barriers refers to anything that affects the free flow of information from one individual or group to another. This may happen due to the following factors,

Emotions: Communication barrier may occur when a person has some fear, feelings or any attitude that may affect the interpretation of the information. For instance, if a person has a negative attitude towards another person, any idea or suggestion put up by that person may be considered a negative and vice-versa.

Physical Destruction: When communication is being passed at a noisy environment such as an office being close to a factory or a mechanical typing pool, the probability of the sound of the message being killed is high in an instant when the message is being transmitted in an oral form. Furthermore, faulty transmission equipment such as unclear telephones lines and broken down fax machines can impede an effective flow of communication.

Poor use of Language: Incorrect spelling, pronunciations, interpretation, impression and general language differences will create a negative impact on the message when is being transferred to another person or a group as it may lead to the difficulty in the understanding of the whole message.

Lack of Interest: In a situation whereby the receiver of the message does not have any interest or less interest in the matter, less attention or no attention will be given to the message passed out as the one sees no impact the message will generate to him/her. 

 

Failure to Pass the Message: It becomes a communication obstacle when a manager or a leader of a team or any organization fails to pass the message on to his subordinates. As there is no transfer of information from one person to another to receive, it means no communication has taken place.  

Group Size Too Large: Where the group size is too large or where there is a large span of control, it becomes very difficult to carry the message across to everyone in the group. It becomes an impediment to effective communication flow in the presence of murmuring and lack of attention associated with large group of people as it may kill the sound of the message.

 

Selective Listening: In a situation whereby the receiver of the message adopts to the habit of selective listening, that is only picking what he thinks essentials and concerns him, he will gather information that would have little overall impact.

Improper Organizational Structure: Where the channel of information flow is not clearly defined, it becomes difficult for the subordinate to identify which channel to use under various circumstances 

Cultural Differences: This is a situation whereby an individual finds him/herself in a different environment or in a community mixed up with different culture. You can see this in the photo below.

These factors mentioned above have strong effect and may occur anywhere, either in a countries, firms, communities or in various homes. There is a need to check our communication aspect whenever we engage into one so it might not complicate things.