Effective Communication- Which are common barriers of communication?
Yogesh Waykole
Vice President @ Barclays | Data Architecture, Analytics and Decision Science
There is common problem we state often whether with some day to day interactions or teams working with agile which is "COMMUNICATION". This will help you to observe few barriers of communication often seen in individuals.
1) Pressure/Stress
When team or any individual is stressed or beset emotionally then there are high chances of misunderstand other people which in turns create off-putting nonverbal signals and falling into poor patterns of behavior.
This you have observed so as a help ask person to take a moment or two so that he/she can calm down before continuing the conversation. In Yoga, most effective way to deal with this to take deep and long breath which will calm down body.
2) Multitasking but with Lack of Focus
Being multitasking it is difficult to communicate effectively and efficiently. Multitasking includes when you are thinking or plan on what's next line of my speech, or thinking about what's pending tasks or checking some messages or reason of boredom or non-interest in discussion topic. When we do this, we are going to miss vital nonverbal cues in conversation.
So it is very important to stay focused on the experience which is going on.
3) Conflicting verbal & Non verbal communication
We also call it as inconsistent body language in which for example, you are smiling and saying as "Yes" but shaking you head as "No". So it is important to have nonverbal communication which reinforce what you are saying, rather than contradicting it.
This will affect the listeners and creates you are being dishonest kind of feeling.
4) Negative body language
What happens when you have negative perception about someone? When you convey or communicate any message do you like it? NO....Humm that's where it will show nonverbal cues.
Common forms of this - crossing your arms, tapping of fingers or feet and avoiding eye contact. You will not even realize that you are doing these things like heaving sighs, eye rolling.
Only solution with such conversation is listen calmly without any defensive action and this will avoid sending negative signals.