Measures to Overcome the Barriers to Effective Communication

Measures to overcome the barriers to effective communication are: 1. Clarify the Ideas before Communication 2. Communicate According to the Need of Receiver 3. Consult others before Communicating 4. Be aware of Language, Tone and Content of Message 5. Convey Things of Help and Value to Listeners 6. Ensure Proper Feedback 7. Communicate for Present as well as Future 8. Follow up Communications 9. Be a Good Listener!

1. Clarify the Ideas before Communication:

Any issue to be communicated to a subordinate should be clearly and completely studied and analyzed by the superior.

Moreover, it should be stated in such a manner that subordinate can easily understand it in the same sense in which the supervisor wants him to receive it.

2. Communicate According to the Need of Receiver:

The level of understanding and education of the subordinates must be very clear to the manager. Manager should try to communicate according to their level.

3. Consult others before Communicating:

It is desirable to involve others in developing a plan for communication. Consulting the subordinates before communicating the message helps to gain their ready acceptance and willing cooperation.

4. Be aware of Language, Tone and Content of Message:

The language, tone and content of a message to be communicated are very important aspects of an effective communication. The language should be clear, simple and easily understandable. Similarly, the tone & content of the message should not provide any harm to the sentiments of listeners rather it should stimulate them to give response.

5. Convey Things of Help and Value to Listeners:

It is always better to know the needs and interests of the listeners before communicating the message. The response from the listeners is surely obtained if the message is related directly or indirectly to their needs or interests.

6. Ensure Proper Feedback:

Proper feedback helps in improving the communication process. The sender should ask questions regarding the message conveyed and the receiver should be encouraged to respond to communication.

7. Communicate for Present as well as Future:

In order to maintain consistency, the communication should aim at meeting both present as well as future requirements of an organisation.

8. Follow up Communications:

Regular follow up and review of the instruction given to the subordinates help in removing difficulties in implementing the instructions.

9. Be a Good Listener:

It has been well established that listening attentively solves more than half the problems in any organisation. Hence, to overcome all likely communication barriers a manager should try to be a good listener too.