Barriers from the Sender
The process of selecting and organizing symbols to represent a message requires skill and knowledge. Obstacles listed below can interfere with an effective message.
1. Lack of Sensitivity to Receiver
A breakdown in communication may result when a message is not adapted to its receiver.
What to do:
• Consider the cultural makeup of the intended audience and seek to understand where there are differences.
• Fashion the message to ensure that it says what you mean and also takes those differences into account.
2. Insufficient Knowledge of the Subject
If the sender lacks specific information about something, the receiver will likely receive an unclear or mixed message. What to do:
• Gather sufficient information before you communicate to others.
• Practice saying what you need to say before delivering the message.
• Explain the message to yourself, before you explain it to others.
3. Information Overload
If you give a message with too much information, your audience may tend to put up a barrier because the amount of information is coming so fast that they may have difficulty comfortably interpreting that information.
What to do:
• If you are selling an item with twenty-five terrific features, pick two or three important features to
emphasize instead of overwhelming your receiver with an information avalanche.
• Give the high points first, then let the receiver ask for more details if they want/need them.
• Speak at a pace that allows the receiver time to process the information.
4. Emotional Interference
An emotional individual may not be able to communicate well. If someone is angry, hostile, resentful, joyful, or fearful, that person may be too preoccupied with emotions to receive the intended message.
What to do:
• Clam down before you try to communicate.
• Take deep breaths and count to 10.
• Schedule another time to communicate after all parties have calmed down.
5. Biases
We all have them. Bias is, after all, shaped by our experiences and who we are. It becomes an obstacle to effective communication though when we consciously or subconsciously choose to speak only to those who are more likely to understand and agree with us. It’s natural. But in leadership, it is also important to extend the reach of our message to those whose biases do not necessarily align with our own. The workplace, for example, now employs more than one generation of people. Each generation has its view of the world. Each generation also has its challenges. And yet, the messages you send must finds ways to reach and engage everyone to be effective.
What to do:
• Acknowledge your own biases first.
• Look through the lens of those who are least likely to align with your views.
• Listen to the receiver.
• Fashion your message to include something that everyone can relate to.
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