The object of a communication is to distinctly tell the communicatee what is desired of him. If the message is not clear in meaning, assumptions are not clear to the personnel; communication will lose its purpose.
Vague and Unclarified Assumptions
The object of a communication is to distinctly tell the communicatee what is desired of him. If the message is not clear in meaning, assumptions are not clear to the personnel; communication will lose its purpose. If the personnel are not able to know what they are supposed to do even after receiving the message, the communication will be no more than a waste paper.
Inadequate Adjustment Period
Certain messages affect a large number of people in their personal life. For example, a notice is issued informing change in the timings of the shift in a factory. This requires sufficient lead time for the workers to make an adjustment. In case sufficient time is not granted there will be a communication barrier.
Similarly communications regarding changes in the rules about bonus, over time should allow an adjustment period. Sufficient time should be allowed to the employees to adjust their schedule or get themselves mentally prepared.
Distrust
It arises if the superior is known for making frequent changes in the communication, quite often even reversing the original message. It is due to ill conceived adjustment, improper technology, etc. Repeated experience of this type will damage employee’s interest in the communication.
Fear
This indicates anxiety, awe, alarm or apprehension. This arises in upward communication and creates a barrier in communication. It may be illustrated as below. A subordinate is not sure if the information conveyed by him to the superior will be useful or not. He thinks if it is not liked, boss will be annoyed and might take action against him. He requests another sub-ordinate to transmit the information on his behalf.
Noise, Distance and Time
The world will not be worth living in, if it is quiet everywhere. But at the same time noise is a big menace. In modern factories the constant rattling of the machines and tools, the squeaking of the wheels constantly create a lot of noise. And noise proves a great barrier to communication. It is a very common experience that noise proves a big hindering factor if two persons are talking. If somehow the noise is not controlled, it may not be possible for communicatee to listen anything or make out the sense. He will properly feel strained.
Let us consider the following example:
1. An executive is giving a message on the telephone. But the sub-ordinate is not able to get it properly because of the noise of the traffic.
2. There is a strike in a factory. Workers are not coming to their jobs. The factory manager calls a meeting of their representatives and wants to tell them certain things. But he is not in a position to do so because the workers are shouting very loudly. Distances act as barriers in the process of communication. If the two parties are very far from each other there will be difficulty in communication. Telephone solves this difficulty in many cases. But bad weather, technical defects, break down and rain may render the telephone useless. Thus because of these two barriers the message is not communicated properly at the right time. Failure to do so, results in dislocation of managerial plans rendering the attainment of the objectives in doubt.
Impression
Sometimes in an effort to impress others, the communicator starts talking in a confused manner or speaks with a changed pronunciation. These actions hinder communication. It leads to wastage of time, resources and energy and causes misunderstanding.
Tags : Management Concepts & Organisational Behaviour - Communication
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