We perceive all the information we receive during communication, based on our experience, existing attitudes, and also through the prism of our subjective attitude towards our interlocutor. And often we hear not at all what our partner tried to convey to us. Often, it’s impossible to accurately express one’s thought at all due to overwhelming emotions. Such barriers leading to misunderstanding and making it impossible to communicate for the benefit and pleasure - these are the barriers of communication.
Types of barriers
There are many categories and features by which barriers to communication can be classified. We will not consider in detail the existing classifications, but only name and explain the most common types.
1. Perception barriers
These are communication barriers such as the barrier of speech, first impression and many others. To be understood, you need to be able to clearly state your point of view. Words, especially in business communication, should be logically justified, and the manner of speaking sure. The better the speaker owns his emotions, the more likely he is to convey what he wants to say. In addition, the features of diction can both spoil the impression of any carefully prepared speech, and seriously hinder its understanding. And if both interlocutors are interested in communication, one will have to adapt to the features of speech, and the second should think about working on the problematic aspect (rhetoric classes, auto-training, working with a speech therapist).
Often, communication barriers also arise as a result of the first impression (usually consisting of non-verbal signals), when effective communication is hampered by an unreasonable negative attitude towards the interlocutor. Certain external features of a business partner may well cause hostility in you, however, you must be aware that this should not affect the subject of your discussion.
Existing attitudes distorting the perception of information also have a significant impact. We have a different value system and put different meanings in the same words. If you know about the existing differences between you and the person you are talking to and can take them into account (that is, use the words that are understandable to the other person and the most accurate), the barriers to communication will partially be overcome.
Separately, one can mention such a communication-impeding quality as the inability to listen, as well as the inherent filtering of what was heard: we hear what we want to hear.
2. Interaction barriers
These are psychological barriers in communication that are associated with different motivations, different moral positions, level of competence and style of negotiation. So, it is difficult to interact with a person who expects a completely different result from communication with you. And if one is set to solve a specific problem, and the other is for idle conversation, the conversation may not satisfy both. In such cases, it is advisable to immediately identify their tasks.
It is just as difficult to find a common language with someone whose level of competence in a particular issue is significantly different, which can be very annoying or an occasion to refuse to communicate at all.
3. Barriers of negative emotions
This can include both communication barriers that arise under the influence of deep stresses and difficult events, when a person closes in and dodges communication, as well as barriers caused by strong emotions (anger, fear). Negatively affect interpersonal interaction and deep complexes of negative emotions (for example, shame or guilt), as well as a bad mood, which can be not only transient, but also “chronic”.
You can list many more groups and types of barriers in communication, but when you encounter each of them, depending on the significance of a particular person for you and the goals of your interaction, you have a choice: you can try to come to terms with the situation or refuse to communicate at all. There are cases when the barrier can be removed if both partners are interested in this.
If you have sufficient self-criticism and feel that your actions are the reason for the emergence of such barriers, then you are already in the middle of the road to eliminating them. Do not be lazy to work on yourself and seek help from someone who can help you with this.