When we talk about barriers to effective listening, we are referring to things that can hinder our ability to understand someone else. These may be physical, emotional or cognitive. Some of the most common barriers are distractions, the language barrier, and misunderstanding. Knowing the best ways to overcome these can lead to greater success in the workplace.
Distractions are a major barrier to effective listening. The more you are distracted, the more you miss the point of what the speaker is saying. A common distraction is a person's appearance. If the person is smiling or speaking fast, it can be easy to lose focus. Other distractions can include objects such as jewelry or pocket change. To avoid these, keep your hands free and allow the other person to finish their thoughts before interjecting.
Whether you're sitting in your office, at a conference, or at home, you may find yourself getting distracted. It's important to remember that you are the only one who can truly listen to the other person. Ineffective listening can be a frustrating experience. But by learning some tricks of the trade, you can learn how to stay focused and get the most out of the conversation.
The language barrier is one of the biggest barriers to effective listening. Many people speak English, but may not be able to understand others. The problem can be as simple as the accent of the speaker or the dialect of the group. For example, in many parts of Europe, it is customary to greet each other with "guten tag" or "bonjour." However, this doesn't always translate to a proper understanding.
Another barrier to effective listening is distance. Whether it is a classroom door, a roommate, or a friend, being too far away can make it hard to hear the other person. And if you're working from home, you can be surrounded by the noises of your house, such as traffic, a clogged sink, and a leaking roof. You can also be distracted by the temperature.
Being afraid is another barrier to effective listening. Fear causes us to act defensively and stop listening. We may become impatient or argue with the other person. One way to combat this is to take a deep breath before you talk. This will give your body the strength to face the adversity.
Emotional barriers are a big problem, too. People with negative emotions such as anger, frustration, and sadness can make it harder for them to fully understand what the other person is saying. They might not even be able to think about what the speaker is saying. Instead, they might be thinking about their own emotions or what they want to do in the situation.
Using social media can also be a big barrier to effective listening. Not only can it interfere with your productivity, it can cause you to become depressed. Fortunately, you can use paraphrasing and other tricks to break through the barriers to communication.