Last updated on Nov 30, 2023
- All
- Business Administration
- Strategic Communications
Powered by AI and the LinkedIn community
1
Physical barriers
2
Psychological barriers
3
Semantic barriers
4
Cultural barriers
5
Feedback barriers
6
Skills barriers
Be the first to add your personal experience
7
Here’s what else to consider
Be the first to add your personal experience
Oral communication is a vital skill for any professional, whether you are giving a presentation, leading a meeting, or having a conversation with a colleague. However, oral communication can also be challenging, as there are many factors that can interfere with your message and affect your audience's understanding and response. In this article, you will learn about some common barriers to effective oral communication and how to overcome them.
Top experts in this article
Selected by the community from 11 contributions. Learn more
Earn a Community Top Voice badge
Add to collaborative articles to get recognized for your expertise on your profile. Learn more
-
4
- Ali Uren Creating Teams Making Opportunity From Mistakes + Problems + Challenges 🔗 Closing Gaps Between Old and New Work…
4
1 Physical barriers
Physical barriers are the external factors that can disrupt or distort your oral communication, such as noise, distance, or poor equipment. For example, if you are speaking in a noisy environment, your audience may have difficulty hearing or concentrating on your message. To overcome physical barriers, you should try to choose a suitable location, use clear and loud voice, check your equipment before you start, and avoid distractions.
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
- Ali Uren Creating Teams Making Opportunity From Mistakes + Problems + Challenges 🔗 Closing Gaps Between Old and New Work Realities 🔗 LinkedIn Top Voice 🔗 Kiikstart® Founder
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
The physical location is important to get right as it tells a story in itself. And will set the scene in terms of the outcomes and impacts you are wanting to achieve. Always know the experience you are wanting to create with the other person in terms of how you want them to engage and respond to your message.Make sure the location is in line with this.
LikeLike
Celebrate
Support
Love
Insightful
Funny
2
- Joshua Bissell Children’s Advocacy Centers of Michigan
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
Mixing Engagement MethodologyIn the age of tele-communication, a common mistake I’ve seen and (participated in 😬) is ignoring the old methods of connecting. Things such as “old fashioned” phone calls and in-person meetings, for example. Be sure to mix up the approach to your communication and remember that finding unique ways to connect, focusing on the elements of proxemics (the use of physical space) can help to convey your messaging in different ways. While platforms like Zoom and Google Meet have truly inspired growth and the development of new relationships; have you ever met someone for the first time in-person after having only connected with them via one of these options? Has it felt like meeting someone for the first time?
LikeLike
Celebrate
Support
Love
Insightful
Funny
2 Psychological barriers
Psychological barriers are the internal factors that can affect your oral communication, such as emotions, attitudes, or biases. For example, if you are nervous, angry, or bored, your oral communication may reflect your mood and influence your audience's perception and reaction. To overcome psychological barriers, you should try to prepare well, practice your speech, be confident, and show interest and respect for your audience.
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
-
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
Starting a discussion when one's amygdala is in the driver's seat (versus the pre-frontal cortex) is a sure-fire path to a disastrous outcome.
LikeLike
Celebrate
Support
Love
Insightful
Funny
4
- Ali Uren Creating Teams Making Opportunity From Mistakes + Problems + Challenges 🔗 Closing Gaps Between Old and New Work Realities 🔗 LinkedIn Top Voice 🔗 Kiikstart® Founder
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
Always check in with your own headspace and attitude before you communicate. How do you want to be perceived by the audience? Think about the language you use and the tone and manner in which you present.Pace of speech is also key -how quick you are will impact the mood of the audience. And volume - simple but often overlooked. Can everyone hear you in every part of the space. Be clear on what outcome and impact you are wanting to achieve in your own head before you can confidently communicate this to others.
LikeLike
Celebrate
Support
Love
Insightful
Funny
2
Load more contributions
3 Semantic barriers
Semantic barriers are the factors that can cause confusion or misunderstanding in your oral communication, such as language, jargon, or ambiguity. For example, if you use unfamiliar words, technical terms, or vague expressions, your audience may not grasp your message or interpret it differently. To overcome semantic barriers, you should try to use simple and clear language, define any acronyms or technical terms, and avoid ambiguity and assumptions.
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
- Ali Uren Creating Teams Making Opportunity From Mistakes + Problems + Challenges 🔗 Closing Gaps Between Old and New Work Realities 🔗 LinkedIn Top Voice 🔗 Kiikstart® Founder
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
Know the audience to use language that is both relevant and meaningful. Fail to do this and you fail to have your message heard. If there is a term you need to use but it's fair that not everyone in the room will know it, then explain it. Impactful communication is about being effective not fancy.
LikeLike
Celebrate
Support
Love
Insightful
Funny
2
4 Cultural barriers
Cultural barriers are the factors that can create differences or conflicts in your oral communication, such as values, beliefs, or norms. For example, if you communicate with people from different cultures, you may encounter different styles, expectations, or preferences in oral communication. To overcome cultural barriers, you should try to learn about your audience's culture, be aware of your own culture, and adapt your communication style and content accordingly.
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
- Ali Uren Creating Teams Making Opportunity From Mistakes + Problems + Challenges 🔗 Closing Gaps Between Old and New Work Realities 🔗 LinkedIn Top Voice 🔗 Kiikstart® Founder
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
Cultural barriers also appear because different workplace realities exist depending on role, team or function. Everyone has a unique experience within the workplace and will interpret this in different ways. It is key you understand the current reality of your audience and past history where relevant, to make the right connection. Know where the challenges and roadblocks are to be able to respond effectively in your style and manner of communication.
LikeLike
Celebrate
Support
Love
Insightful
Funny
2
5 Feedback barriers
Feedback barriers are the factors that can hinder or prevent your oral communication from being interactive and responsive, such as lack of attention, interruption, or disagreement. For example, if your audience does not pay attention, interrupts you frequently, or disagrees with you strongly, your oral communication may lose its effectiveness and purpose. To overcome feedback barriers, you should try to engage your audience, invite questions and comments, listen actively, and handle objections respectfully.
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
- Ali Uren Creating Teams Making Opportunity From Mistakes + Problems + Challenges 🔗 Closing Gaps Between Old and New Work Realities 🔗 LinkedIn Top Voice 🔗 Kiikstart® Founder
- Report contribution
Thanks for letting us know! You'll no longer see this contribution
To be able to make sure this does not go in the wrong direction have clarity around how you want to approach your presentation.- what is the agenda/ what are you covering- how much time has been allocated - what topics you won't be covering and why- the purpose of coming together - how advice and questions will be received and when - how you want the audience to engage with you- if questions fall outside of the agenda how you will respond to these afterwards It's you role to be able to respectfully facilitate discussion but know how you will keep it focused and on track. Without a game plan you are at risk of it running into the ditch.
LikeLike
Celebrate
Support
Love
Insightful
Funny
4
6 Skills barriers
Skills barriers are the factors that can limit or impair your oral communication abilities, such as voice, body language, or structure. For example, if you have a weak voice, poor body language, or a disorganized structure, your oral communication may not convey your message clearly and persuasively. To overcome skills barriers, you should try to improve your voice quality, use appropriate body language, and follow a logical and coherent structure.
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
Load more contributions
7 Here’s what else to consider
This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
Load more contributions
Strategic Communications
Strategic Communications
+ Follow
Rate this article
We created this article with the help of AI. What do you think of it?
It’s great It’s not so great
Thanks for your feedback
Your feedback is private. Like or react to bring the conversation to your network.
Tell us more
Tell us why you didn’t like this article.
If you think something in this article goes against our Professional Community Policies, please let us know.
We appreciate you letting us know. Though we’re unable to respond directly, your feedback helps us improve this experience for everyone.
If you think this goes against our Professional Community Policies, please let us know.
More articles on Strategic Communications
No more previous content
- Here's how you can navigate the choice between temporary and contract work in strategic communications.
- Here's how you can effectively communicate your company culture to attract top talent.
- Here's how you can demonstrate your problem-solving skills in a strategic communications interview. 6 contributions
- Here's how you can gauge the success of collaborative efforts in strategic communications. 3 contributions
- Here's how you can identify and leverage communication opportunities using logical reasoning. 5 contributions
- Here's how you can launch your career without a degree in Strategic Communications. 4 contributions
- Here's how you can turbocharge your career in strategic communications with delegation skills.
- Here's how you can stand out as an entry-level Strategic Communications professional. 11 contributions
- Here's how you can navigate unexpected changes or delays in meeting deadlines as a strategic communicator. 10 contributions
- Here's how you can navigate uncertainty and overcome unexpected challenges as a strategic communicator. 12 contributions
No more next content
Explore Other Skills
- Business Strategy
- Executive Management
- Business Management
- Product Management
- Business Development
- Project Management
- Consulting
- Business Analysis
- Program Management
- Entrepreneurship
More relevant reading
- Strategic Communications What are common oral communication mistakes and how can you avoid them?
- Emotional Intelligence What are the best ways to build rapport during oral communication?
- Team Motivation What are the most effective ways to provide feedback on oral communication skills?
- Content Management What do you do if your communication skills need a boost?
Help improve contributions
Mark contributions as unhelpful if you find them irrelevant or not valuable to the article. This feedback is private to you and won’t be shared publicly.
Contribution hidden for you
This feedback is never shared publicly, we’ll use it to show better contributions to everyone.