Have you ever felt that communication at work is super difficult? Well, turns out there are a lot of factors that can be blockers! From language barriers and hard-to-understand intonations to information overload that makes our brains 'short-circuit'! Communication only works with two or more parties to ensure the information flows. According to Gischa (2022), humans are social beings, so they can't fulfill their needs on their own and need support from others. Perfect timing, Mutual+ is here to discuss some factors that hinder effective communication and how to tackle them! Let's dive into the full article below:
1. Bad listener and zero feedback
A bad listener and not giving feedback are common factors that hinder effective communication. Effective communication is a two-way process. Often, you might be more focused on what you want to say rather than listening to others and if you only talk without listening to feedback, your message might not be understood well. This can be a major barrier in communication because it can lead to misunderstandings.
Solution: Train yourself to be an active listener. Don't just hear the words but also understand the intent and feelings of the other person. Start with simple actions like nodding, maintaining eye contact, and giving relevant responses. Also, don’t forget to ask for feedback from your conversation partner. Ask if they understand what you are saying and give them a chance to respond.
2. Unclear or convoluted language
Unclear or convoluted language is something that often happens in daily interactions. This can make the message you convey not well understood by the recipient. One of the causes of the use of unclear or convoluted language, for example due to the use of words with special terms and abbreviations that are less known by the interlocutor. In addition, sometimes it also uses language that is too formal or rigid, making the message less communicative.
Solution: Use simple and straightforward language. If necessary, use illustrations or concrete examples to make it easier to understand.
3. Excessive emotions
Anger, disappointment, or overjoy can make your communication ineffective! Reporting from skillsyouneed.com, in general, people who have low self-confidence tend to be more passive and may feel uncomfortable in communicating. They may also feel embarrassed or awkward to express their feelings honestly, and tend to interpret unintentional negative messages in the messages they hear. So, excessive emotions can make the message you convey unclear. So be careful!
Solution: Control your emotions before communicating. Take a deep breath, calm down, and think about what you want to convey with a cool head.
4. Cultural differences
Cultural differences are also one of the factors that are often an obstacle to effective communication. Each culture has different norms, values, and ways of communicating, so what is considered polite and effective in one culture is not necessarily the same in another. Cultural differences can include things like language, communication styles, mindsets, and how to interpret symbols or gestures. For example, in Western cultures, communication tends to be more direct and open, while in Eastern cultures, communication may be more polite and indirect. The impact of cultural differences in communication can be misunderstandings, prejudices, or even conflicts.
Solution: Recognize and appreciate these differences. Try to use neutral language and avoid terms that people from different cultures may not understand.
5. Environmental barriers
Environmental barriers are external factors that can disrupt the flow of communication between two or more people. Have you ever tried talking to a friend in a very noisy place or had a video call where the connection suddenly became unstable? These are real examples of environmental barriers that can make your communication ineffective and cause the message to not be well-received by the listener.
Solution: Find a quiet place for important conversations, away from sources of noise. If you are at home, look for a quiet and comfortable room. For video call, ensure your internet connection is stable before starting. Check the connection beforehand and, if necessary, restart your router or move to a location with a stronger signal.
So, are you ready to make your communication smoother and free from barriers? Start paying attention to these hindering factors now! Remember, effective communication is key to success in both the workplace and personal relationships. Don’t let small things hold you back from achieving your best. By the way, Mutual+ also has an article on how to improve effective communication! You can check this out in here: https://bit.ly/4auVHUF . Good luck and may you become a great communicator!
Sources:
5 Penghambat Komunikasi di Kantor yang Perlu Diketahui- Glints Blog
7 Faktor Penghambat Komunikasi Efektif Beserta Solusinya - Talkactive
Gischa, S. (2022, Agustus 3). Manusia sebagai Makhluk Sosial. Retrieved from communication.binus.ac.id: https://communication.binus.ac.id/2022/12/16/mengenal-penghalang-komunikasi/