For communication to occur, a communicator must transmit a message and a listener must receive it correctly. If the message is not understood, there is no communication. There is only noise. Between sending and receiving a message, many things can go wrong. Communication, by definition, involves at least two people, the sender and the receiver. There are certain filters or barriers that determine whether or not the message is actually transmitted or received.
There may be barriers that exist between the sender and the receiver, such as cultural differences. Environmental conditions can also create barriers, eg poor acoustics, other people talking, outside noise. However, differences in the frames of reference between the sender and the receiver are more common. For example, there may not be a common understanding of the purpose of a certain communication. You can ask me how I feel today. For you, the phrase “How are you?” It’s just a greeting. However, I can think that you really want to know and I can tell you, possibly at some length.
What facilitates clear communication? A good communicator: exchanges ideas, feelings, and values – uses appropriate language, tone, pitch, and volume — gives relevant information — uses nonverbal cues to emphasize and support messages — clarifies — asks for feedback — listens — responds and reacts — conveys understanding.
Consider yourself the receiver. Assumptions, attitudes, and sensitivity issues can also result in barriers. As a receiver, you can filter or not listen to certain aspects (or any aspect) of a message. Because? Because the message may seem unimportant or too difficult. Also, you can be selective in your care. For example, you may feel that the sender is being redundant or boring, so you stop listening after the first few words and instead daydream. You may be worried about something else. Or your filtering or inattention may be due to your past experience with the sender. You may feel like “this person has never made a point and never will.” You may spend time preparing a response or interrupting with your thoughts.
In general, communication is a difficult process to complete correctly. One must find the medium between the viewpoints of the sender and the receiver in order to convey your message most effectively.