RW - foRWard Health & Wellbeing eMag - April 25 - Flipbook - Page 26
Barriers to e昀昀ective
communication
Even with the best intentions, communication can
break down due to common barriers. Being aware
of these can help you improve how you interact
with others. Here are some common barriers to
communication:
Cultural di昀昀erences
People's backgrounds and experiences can lead to
di昀昀erent communication styles, which may create
misunderstandings if not navigated carefully.
Emotional factors
Stress, frustration, or anger can cloud both the
delivery and reception of messages, leading to
miscommunication.
Overuse of jargon
While industry-speci昀椀c terms may be convenient,
over-relying on them can alienate those unfamiliar
with the terminology.
How to improve your
communication skills
Improving communication skills is a continuous
journey that requires practise and self-awareness.
Here's how you can sharpen your communication
in di昀昀erent areas:
Verbal communication
• Practise active listening to ensure you're
fully engaged in conversations.
• Be mindful of your tone of voice, as it can
a昀昀ect how your message is received.
• Slow down your speech to avoid using 昀椀ller
words like "um" or "like."
Non-verbal communication
• Maintain open and con昀椀dent body language,
such as uncrossed arms and direct eye contact.
• Use gestures to emphasise key points but avoid
overdoing them.
• Be conscious of your facial expressions, ensuring
they match the message you're conveying.
Wri琀琀en communication
• Keep emails and reports clear and concise.
Avoid over-complicating your message.
• Proofread before hi琀琀ing send to prevent
miscommunication due to errors.
• Tailor your writing style to your audience—
formal for business proposals, and more
casual for internal messages.
• Take a business writing course to re昀椀ne
your ability to write clear, professional
emails and documents.
Active listening
• Give verbal a昀昀irmations like nodding or saying
"I understand" to show you're engaged.
• Summarise or paraphrase the speaker’s key
points to con昀椀rm understanding.
• Avoid interrupting and give the speaker time to
fully explain their thoughts before responding.
• Ask follow-up questions to clarify any points
that are unclear or to gain a deeper
understanding of the topic.
