Have you ever been in a conversation with someone who left you feeling frustrated and annoyed? Maybe they were negative or repelling, and you just couldn't understand why everyone has to have an opinion. If you can relate, you'll understand what I'm talking about.
This experience taught me something interesting about communication, especially the things we say or do that disconnect us from others. In my case, it is all in the subtext that gets to me. Communication happens all the time, even when we don't realize it. It's not just about what we say or write, it's also about the more subtle things like tone, choice of words, and environment. As I reflected on this, I realized that communication flaws cut across every field of life, from work and politics to school and business. Just like any other human being, I have communication flaws that need improvement. If we communicate well, we'll save time and energy in pushing people around to get things done.
In a workshop discussion, we identified several barriers to effective communication, also known as noise:
- Difference in Language: Language here means the actual coding and encoding of the spoken or written message. If someone uses slang in the wrong context or jargon with laypeople or foreign language on natives, they won't be understood. Also, the choice of words plays a great deal in communication, even when the language is understood. A clear construction of words needs to precede knowledge.
- Difference in Age: Young people have a way of saying things that have so much meaning and significance to their peers but will not register in a similar way to the older generation and vice versa. It is important to acknowledge the audience's age before speaking to appeal to their emotions as well as their intellect. However, age does not necessarily indicate maturity, and some people may be an exception to this rule.
- Difference in Values: Values are the core things we embrace dearly and are willing to hold on to even at high costs, such as religion, sports teams, etc. If there is no common value between communicating with people, it would be tough to get any understanding of what the other person is saying.
- Channel: The channel of communication is also critical. Email works well for some, while others prefer a phone call or text message. Even with our daily communication, many people do not respond to a text message as much as they would to a phone call. Little wonder why there have been major strides in technology to improve long-distance communication, such as video conferencing, internet calling, etc.
- Discomfort: This can be either physical or emotional discomfort. If someone is ill and probably hospitalized, it is quite difficult to have any discussion with such a person without first acknowledging their state. Empathy is required in this case rather than a list of other problems.
- Stereotyping: Stereotyping is still a vice in today's society where people have preconceived notions about people and things. It is important to avoid stereotyping as it limits communication.
By understanding these barriers to effective communication, we can take steps to improve our communication skills and connect better with others. Now that we have identified the barriers to effective communication, it's time to focus on practical solutions. Here are some tips that can help you overcome communication barriers:
- Be clear and concise: Use simple language and avoid jargon or slang. Avoid using ambiguous words and phrases that can be interpreted in different ways. Speak or write in a calm and clear tone. By all means, do not be unnecessarily long or loud!
- Listen actively: If in active conversation, pay attention to what the other person is saying and show that you are interested in what they have to say. Avoid interrupting them and wait until they have finished speaking before responding.
- Ask questions: Very important if you are unsure about something, then ask questions to clarify. This will show that you are interested in understanding the other person's point of view even if you hold a conflicting truth. A guide would be to use one of Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, that is, the 5th habit: ‘Seek first to understand, then to be understood.’
- Use the right communication channel: Choose the best communication channel for the message you want to convey. For example, use email for formal messages, phone calls for urgent matters, and video conferencing for remote meetings.
- Show empathy: Try to put yourself in the other person's shoes and understand their perspective. This will help you to communicate more effectively and build better relationships.
- Respect differences: I cannot emphasise more that recognising and respecting differences in age, culture, values, and beliefs is very important. Avoid the temptation of sounding patronising, or worse, condescending. This will help you to avoid misunderstandings and build trust.
- Provide some feedback: Give feedback to the other person about how you perceived their message. It is always a plus, to keep things positive- it always helps to seek for the ‘intention’ rather than ‘method’. This will help to ensure that the message was received and understood.
By using these practical solutions, you can overcome communication barriers and improve your communication skills. Remember that effective communication is a key success factor in all areas of life.
