How Invisible Communication Barriers Kill Productivity

Many kinds of interferences or disturbances can confuse a message. Communication specialists call them ''noise.'' A noise is anything that competes against communication.

Obviously, if we want our communication to be effective, we have to be continually on our guard to detect such noise, whatever the source. When we find it, we must drown it out. Or better still, eliminate it altogether.

Of course, before we can overcome such barriers, from wherever they come, we must be able to recognize them. When they take the form of literal noise, they're usually easy enough to distinguish.

But what we don't appreciate enough is the plethora of forms of metaphorical noise. In the workplace, for example, we often find conflicting thoughts competing for attention.

Most business executives (and their secretaries!) are familiar with this type of scenario: the boss may call for a certain file from the filing cabinet, and be quite amazed that this simple request turns out to be so problematic.

He or she doesn't know this instruction has triggered an unexpected stimulus: ''File? Yes, I must remember to stop by the store on the way home to pick up a nail file...''

Then again, many executives fail to realize the extent to which distrust can distort messages. A manager who routinely insists that every printing order is urgent, is not too likely to find receptive ears when time really is of the essence.

Let's take a look at an incident in the working lives of two very special imaginary characters - Mr Thompson, Chief Operating Officer of a flourishing corporation, and his work supervisor, Mr Brown..

This is a day for which Mr Brown has been waiting in very keen anticipation. Why?

Our Mr Brown has been rather unhappy of late.

The economic downturn hasn't touched our company yet. Business, in fact, is booming. Mr Brown has no complaints about that, for he's a devoted worker, to say the least, and he's gratified to be a key player in his firm's success. He has never been one to panic at the prospect of hard work.

Then what's the problem? Simply this: relative to the time and energy he has invested in his job, Mr Brown is underpaid. Period.

But a few weeks ago, he took the bull by the horns.

Knocking on Mr Thompson's door, he explained that, in the long run, a hefty raise would be in the company's interest as much as his own. In return, moreover, he would be very happy to take on extra responsibilities.

Our COO seemed more than sympathetic. The vice president in charge of the budget was out of the country at that moment, but Mr Thompson promised to raise the matter immediately on the VP's return. In all probability, his consent would be a mere formality.

Today is the day that has been set down for the verdict to be delivered.

The butterflies in our supervisor's stomach give way to cautious optimism as he enters his superior's office. He has faith in the justice of his cause, and isn't Mr Thompson on his side?

''Ah, Mr Brown, good to see you!''

Mr Thompson's warm smile suddenly freezes in mid-air. His face seems to change color - or perhaps we're just imagining it?

''Ahem...Yes...'' He pauses for the proverbial two seconds that seem like an eternity. What's the matter? Has Mr Thompson, who never forgets anything, only just remembered something important?

''Look, I'm sorry, I didn't have a chance to discuss that matter with Mr Hodgkinson yet, but I have some important information in connection with our machinery problems. Can you make a note of a few things?''

But Mr Brown, the epitome of conscientiousness, is as human as the next person. He's hardly in a state for mental notes.

The kind of emotional blackout the work supervisor is now experiencing is an obstacle to effective communication as real as it's intangible.

It's no less of a barrier than the noise of a pneumatic drill punctuating the conversation of two people in the street.

Azriel Winnett is the creator of HODU.COM - YOUR COMMUNICATION SKILLS PORTAL. This popular website helps you to improve your communication and relationship skills in business and professional life, in the family unit and on the social scene. New material added almost daily.

---

Cultural Awareness - an HR Perspective

The use of cultural awareness training has increased rapidly in... Read More

Business Fit

I have been an entrepreneur for over twenty years and... Read More

Encouraging Behavior That Gets Results

You're the boss, and you have every reason to feel... Read More

Do You Really Care What People Think?

You had better care! Because what people think usually leads... Read More

Profits and Business Success - 5 Profit Traps to Watch Out For

The old saying 'You have to spend money to make... Read More

Hire People For What They Do Best

I recently flew from Seattle to Atlanta, I realized, just... Read More

Creativity Management - The Value of Being Prolific

When asked his secret to success, the author Graham Green... Read More

How to Deal With Salespeople

If you are an executive, you may sometimes feel like... Read More

Why Would Anyone Do That in My Meeting?

Imagine that you open a meeting by saying, "We need... Read More

How to Attract and Retain the Right People

If you're one of the many executives struggling with finding... Read More

Medical Malpractice: Three Myths That Cost Your Hospital Millions

What's the use?Nothing you do will hold down the cost... Read More

He Hate Me: Turning Their Bad Attitude Into Your Great Results

"He Hate Me" was the nickname of Rod Smart, a... Read More

Leadership Skills

Recent studies have shown that industrial supervisors are working at... Read More

Is Your Management Style Assisting or Hurting Your Business?

Many times business owners can have significant differences in management... Read More

Leading Bad Actors To Be Good Performers

A successful leader told me, "The biggest challenge I've had... Read More

How To Write Commercial Collections Letters

It is sometimes valuable to bring the sales manager into... Read More

Management Development - Micromanagement Works!

Getting into the detail of everything each of your people... Read More

To Outsource or Not to Outsource

In these days of restricted head count and tight budgets,... Read More

How to get an Audiences Attention

A trainer dryly discussing how to motivate people in an... Read More

Too Much Time Treating Symptoms

A man drives down the highway each day on his... Read More

Getting to Consensus

The need to get people in an organization to pull... Read More

Assertive Communication - 6 Tips For Effective Use

What IS assertive communication? Assertive communication is the... Read More

Boost Your Leadership Skills By Disciplining Yourself In The Way Of The Question Mark

I'm often asked to come in to organizations and give... Read More

The Challenges of Human Resource Management

IntroductionThe role of the Human Resource Manager is evolving with... Read More

Birds of a Feather May Be Turkeys

Birds of a Feather May Be TurkeysBy Gene Griessman, PhD... Read More

Print Buying Consultant

Ten Money Saving Tips for Print ManagersDespite their stated desire... Read More

Improving Your Inter-Company Communications At No Cost

It's all very well having a flashy (and expensive) advertising... Read More

Balance Your Managerial Life

We have only one life, but we live in three... Read More

Time Management and Team Development - The Yes and No of It

Sometimes.In fact making some small changes to the circumstances when... Read More

Employees Commit Corporate Fraud

Imagine the following scenario; Ten years ago you decided to... Read More

The Seven Cs: Partnership Danger Signs - Conflict Becoming the Norm ? Part 2

A series of articles exploring the seven critical areas that... Read More

Its Not Always What You Say

A major source of communication breakdowns is incongruence between the... Read More

Leadership: Stoking The Success Train

Everyone wants to succeed yet everyone has a different perception... Read More