Non-verbal communication at the workplace is as important as verbal communication as it talks a lot about one’s personality and overall individuality. There are certain messages in the organization that need to be conveyed in a non-verbal manner rather than opting for the verbal modes of communication.
However, various factors can result in being the Barriers to Non-Verbal Communication affecting the business processes and efficiency of the organization.
Below mentioned are the top 8 Barriers to Non-Verbal Communication
#1. The concept of Paralanguage
The concept of paralanguage can be defined as the inflections that are used to send a message verbally. And when the concept is not understood properly or is not applied appropriately, it can act as one of the Barriers to Non-Verbal Communication.
It reflects in the overall attitude of a person, his pitch, tone of voice, and the volume while communicating. If the person seems to be timid or shy while speaking, he comes across as a shy or reserved personality. And such behavior can affect the other person communicating with him.
#2. The tone of Silence
As they say, Silence is Golden, but it can be a very threatening tool and one of the major Barriers to Non-Verbal Communication. The silence, when not used correctly, can send wrong and misleading signals to the other person raising quite many queries and issues within the team of an organization.
For instance, if the manager is not responding to his subordinate by maintaining silence when the later is giving strategic ideas and inputs, it can indicate as a sign of disregard or disrespect.
It can be the case that the manager is preoccupied with some other work issues, but his silence surely sends across a wrong message indicating that he is not interested in the ideas of his teammate and his has no regard for his work.
#3. Body Language
A person’s body language can be one of the biggest and most effective tools of communication. But at the same time, it can also be one of the major Barriers to Non-Verbal Communication.
Factors such as folded hands, lack of eye contact, slouched back, straight face, and not paying attention are those signs of body language that indicate that the person is not interested in the communication.
#4. Expressions on Face
Expressions on the face of a person can also act as the Barriers to Non-Verbal Communication. Feelings such as fear, insecurity, jealousy, and others can give away a wrong message or communication to the other person.
For instance, if an employee is discussing some personal issue with his manager but the constant expression on the face of his manager is of the enjoyment or smiling it can indicate that the manger is getting a sadistic pleasure listening to the issues and problems of his team member.
Rather than empathizing as the manager is enjoying, the employee will refrain on having a personal level discussion with his manager in the future.
#5. Emotions
Mental issues such as anxiety, depression, and fear amongst others can act as one of the Barriers to Non-Verbal Communication. Any person facing any of the above-mentioned issues is not able and capable to communicate through nonverbal facets of communication.
#6. No enthusiasm
When a person lacks enthusiasm whilst fulfilling his roles and responsibilities at his workplace, it indicates that he is low on the aspects of motivation and agility to accomplish the goals and objectives. It affects his speech, body language, and other personality traits resulting in the Barriers to Non-Verbal Communication.
#7. Lack of Focus
Having no or lack of focus during any of the important meetings or conversations can result in the Barriers to Non-Verbal Communication. Having focus is very important to understand certain aspects of non-verbal communication.
And when the person is unable to catch sign or symbolic language owing to the lack of focus, he won’t be able to conduct his tasks and responsibilities in an efficient and effective manner.
#8. No Eye Contact
Having a proper eye contact whilst communicating is one the important signs of effective communication, be it verbal or nonverbal in nature. And when a person refrains from having eye contact results in the Barriers to Non-Verbal Communication affecting the overall flow of the communication
Conclusion
Barriers to Non-Verbal Communication can, at times, be very tricky and difficult to resolve as they are related to one’s emotions and sentiments. But through one to one discussion with the employees and training sessions, there is always a way out
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