Communication problems - decoding barriers

     Today we are moving to the barriers the receiver can come accross with during communication. These are called decoding barriers. What are they? Here are some possible problems when decoding the message:

1. Lack of  Interest.  If a receiver is not interested in the information that sender tries to communicate, then the message won't be read or listened to at least properly. The receiver may listen unattentively or read the message hurriedly or not read at all. A desirable result would have little chance to happen.

    To handle such situation, a sender needs to take a different approach or stop communicate the message alltogether, because a receiver might not have any interest at all in such kind of information.

2. Lack of  Knowledge. If a receiver has not enough knowledge about the subject that's being disscussed, they would have difficulty to understand it. Unless they are introduced to a good explanation, too much technical wording can be tough to keep up with.

     It is important to use as simple language as possible whenever it makes sense. If salesperson tries to sell something they should make their speech simple and  to the point. This would have much more impact than showing off their extreme knowledge about something. If this is written information, the sender should take into consideration what type of people they are trying to contact. An email withtin company staff can include technical terms as receivers would certainly be familiar with it. When contacting clients though it makes sense to use plain English (or other language) when explaining their products and services etc.

3. Lack of Communication Skills.  Not enough reading and listening skills make communication ineffective.

    Asking for simplier explanation of the information would help in understanding the idea of the message. 

4. Emotional Distractions.  Emotions play a big art in our life. Everything we do has some connection with our emotions. In communication with others it has no difference. If somebody doesn't like a person who tries to deliver them a message, they are likely to read their message not objectively. They would hear or read in between the lines some negative tone or misinterpret part of information as being towarded against them etc. This may lead to misunderstanding part of the information.

    It would be helpful to actually concentrate on the information itself rather than on the person that tries to convey the message. 

5. Physical Distractions.  It is difficult to maintain a good conversation, when something is constantly on a way of receiving information: external noises, constant phone ringing, too bright lights, too hot or too cold etc.

   Avoiding such kind of distractions would help to understand the other person's message much better.

  For more tips on good communicationplease visit Improving Communication in Business and Personal Life