Discussing the Potential Barriers to Effective Communication.

Environmental Factors

Environmental factors are a barrier because the environment can have an affect on the way we receive messages. An example of this could be that there is background noise from a local building site. We can close any windows to help block any noises that can be heard as this may effect the style of communication.

If we were trying to talk to a friend or relative in a house, we may experience some environmental factors and may want to combat this by trying to block background noises by either moving to a different spot where the noise isn’t as bad, or even just closing the windows. We  may also want to try and keep the temperature of a room so that it is not too warm as this can be a barrier of communication and can be easily solved by opening the windows to let air in or else simply not turning on the heating.

Emotional Factors

Emotional factors can have an impact on communication because of the way we receive messages. An example of this may be that some people may get angry all of a sudden because of someone’s body language. These factors can effect the way a person may communicate as they may feel that nobody is listening and may just want to forget about what message they are trying to get across.

Emotional factors that can affect communication for example may be your body language, you may not even realized that if you are slouched in a chair you are showing people that you don’t care and don’t want to listen to a lecturer for example. If you where to get angry all of a sudden for no apparent reason this may also be a barrier to communication as you are making someone else feel very uncomfortable and scared to speak out. To overcome these factors you would need to calm down and relax and listen to what others have to say as well as smiling and nodding regulary to encourage them to speak.

Hearing Disabilities

Hearing disabilities can have an impact on communication because on the way we receive messages. An example of this may be that someone who is deaf cannot interpret a message that is being sent.

If you suffer from any hearing disabilities you can still communicate with many others by using sign language to communicate by using your hands to make signals. You can also communicate to other people by writing notes and phrases on a piece of paper to communicate with other people as they are able to interpret from the paper

Principles of Effective Communication

Principles of effective Communication

Effective communication is the method of what enables us to interact with other people in different environments. If we did not communicate effectively we would be unable to share knowledge and experiences with anyone else, except ourselves. Some of the main types of communication you may have heard of include writing, speaking, touch, broadcasting and gestures.

There are two main types of questions that can be asked whenever we are communicating, open and close. An open question allows you to input more thought behind your answer. On the other hand a closed question is more of a simple yes or no. An example of and open question could be, “Do you like football?” This question can give many types of answer such as yes I enjoy football or even yes, I play regularly in a team. These are different examples of open and closed questions.

The famous quote, “If we were supposed to talk more than listen, we would have been given two mouths and one ear.” Mark Twain. This shows that listening is an important skill and that we should all listen to what other people have to say for a moment and that if we didn’t speak as much we would maybe listen to what some others have to say.

There are two examples of communication, verbal and non verbal. Non verbal communication is written information, emails, body language and even sign language. Verbal communication is phoning someone or speaking to them face to face. To get a message across you have a better chance if you are using verbal communication as you are physically telling them where as if you sent an email they may not understand the message.

Your presentation is how you like to show yourself and if you make an effort and dress smart, you will more likely grab someone’s attention and make a good impression for yourself. An organization will probably have a dress code which will be along the lines of a suit or dressing smartly by wearing a suit or tie.

Skills and Attitudes

Attitudes

Determination – By being determined you will be more focused on a task and work your way from start to finish because you want to succeed, to the highest possible level. By being determined you are also more likely to be successful in life and this is a valuable skill.

Independence – Being able to work well on your own initiate and get things done on your own without relying on others. This also shows that you can work on your own without much help and sort out any problems you face on your own.

Problem solving – From being able to solve problems you are able to figure tasks on your own and or in teams. This is a useful skill that most employees are looking for nowadays as you will face many tasks in the workplace.

Confidence – By being confident you are happy with your working environment and the people that are working with and around you. By being confident you feel more relaxed and this will have an output on your performance and will make you work better.

Self motivation – Being self motivated shows that you are working for success on your own and don’t care what anybody else has to say. This shows that you want to work because many people that are self motivated seem to be more interested and ready for work.

Skills

Dependability – From being dependable you can always follow directions, consistently be accurate, work independently and get along with other workers and customers. This is a valuable skill which employers look for.

 Honesty – In a working environment, you need to be honest. Employers want employees who tell the truth at all times and not steal from tills for example. If you are honest to your employee you will be better thought than of an employee who is dishonest and valued more.

 Positive attitude –Having a positive attitude can make you a better employee if you smile more frequently, don’t slouch and maintain a good posture and even speak with a pleasant tone. Employees can read this all from your body langue.

Willing to Work – Employers want someone who isn’t constantly dragging themselves into work late and look scruffy. Instead they want someone who is willing to work for you and have the ability and desire to communicate to other workers and customers. 

Uses Down Time Productively – whenever you are not busy at work or in-between major projects you should have something to keep you occupied and shouldn’t be sitting around wasting time. This may even be just reading the latest headlines in the news or thinking of a better way of doing something in the company.