Overcoming the Four Key Barriers to Communication Western Governors University

OVERCOMING THE FOUR KEY BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION 2 Overcoming the Four Key Barriers to Communication There are four key barriers to communication managers need to be aware of if they are to successfully manage a team; process, personal, physical, and semantic. Process Barriers Process barriers in communication relate to the actual means in which ideas are communicated. To be successful, one must be constantly aware of the sender, message, receiver relationship as well as the level of noise inherent in the conversation. To overcome the process barriers of communication, a manager needs to fit the message to the medium. Face-to-face communication is always best. Being present in the room allows for the actual message to be supported by non-verbal cues. Body language makes up an astonishing amount of communication. If a manager wants to get a point across, face-to-face is best. If a manager is unable to have a face-to-face conversation, the manager must be aware of deficiencies in alternative methods of communication. Phone conversation lose the personal touch and the visual cues associated with body language. Often times, while on a phone conversation the sender or receiver can be engaged in other activity reducing their level or attention. It is important to use words more efficiently to ensure the message is being received.