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Faulty Communication: What Goes Wrong?


How often it has happened that you wanted to say or mean something and it was totally misunderstood by the listener/reader? When you meant something and something else was conveyed.

#FaultyCommunication #BarriersToCommunication #CommunicationFailure

Different types of barriers distort communication and twist its purpose. Let's see what they are.

The following kinds of barriers generally occur:
  • Situational barriers or barriers in the process of communication
  • Barriers in the mind of the receiver or perception barriers
  • Barriers in sending or transmitting the message

The barriers are explained below:

#Perception is the ability to comprehend reality. Each person’s perception is different, so the interpretation of communication will be very different in each person’s mind. Further, negative emotions such as envy, anger, hurt, attitudinal and behavioral problems colour and distort communication. Hence, extra effort should be taken to make sure the message is properly understood, and comprehended by the recipient. Taking feedback from the listener/recipient is one way to ensure the message goes home. Clarifying the message and using simple language also helps.
#BodyLanguage or non-verbal cues, signals, and gestures play an important role in complementing the spoken word. If body language is not appropriate, the impact of the message is lost. 

Similarly the space and time of communication is important. 

 #SituationaBarriers can also arise out of difference in formal position or role of the sender and receiver.
#CommunicationMedium, i.e., faulty telephone or internet lines, disturbed voice message recording, noise and physical disturbances also bar communication effectiveness.

One of the main barriers to communication is a distracted or preoccupied mind and lack of concentration on the message.


#InformationOverload or too much information can also harm communication. The listener gets confused and the message gets lost. Using too many technicalities or specialized terms in language also distort the effectiveness of communication.




The barriers that block communication or distort it may situational or semantic, physical or psychological in nature. These can be minimized by continuously working on improving  our own #CommunicationSkills, which we all must practice doing.


I will continue in the next post on what tricks or hacks can improve verbal and non-verbal communication.



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