Writing Assignment #1: Communication Barriers Report ✓ Solved
Writing Assignment #1 Communication Barriers Report Summ
For this assignment, you are asked to collect real-life examples of barriers to communication that occur in your work or community environment. You will describe them, define them, justify them in a table, and then use them to rate your organization’s communication effectiveness.
Length: The assignment has four parts.
Part I will be a description of your communication setting, including a description of the 3-4 communication barriers that occur in that setting.
Part II is a list of definitions of the 3-4 barriers, where each definition should be about 30-40 words each.
Part III is a table with short examples, names, and justifications regarding the 3-4 communication barriers.
Part IV will consist of a short paragraph rating the organization’s communication effectiveness on a scale of 1 to 100 and justifying the ranking.
Your text should be single-spaced and in 12-point font. The definitions in Part II should be restated from readings in your own words, not copied and pasted.
Word Length for this assignment: All parts together should total at least a specified number of words.
Paper For Above Instructions
Introduction
Effective communication is critical within any organization to ensure that messages are clearly transmitted and understood. However, various barriers often impede successful communication, leading to misunderstandings and reduced effectiveness. This report identifies the communication barriers present in my community organization, discusses their implications, and evaluates the overall communication effectiveness of the organization.
Part I: Description of the Communication Setting
The organization chosen for this analysis is a local nonprofit community center that provides various services, including educational workshops, counseling, and recreational activities. The center serves a diverse group of individuals from different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. While the organization strives to foster an open and inclusive environment, several communication barriers hinder effective interactions between staff and community members.
One significant barrier is the language barrier, which arises when staff members and community participants speak different languages. As many clients are non-native English speakers, this barrier can lead to miscommunication and feelings of exclusion among those who struggle to comprehend English. Furthermore, the cultural barrier presents challenges, as differing cultural norms regarding communication styles can cause misunderstandings. For example, some cultures may prioritize indirect communication, while others favor directness, leading to confusion about intentions and meanings.
Another prevalent barrier is the attitudinal barrier, characterized by preconceived notions and biases that staff may hold about certain community members. These biases can affect communication by influencing how messages are transmitted and interpreted. Lastly, an emotional disconnect can occur when staff members are unaware of the emotional state of clients, leading to missed opportunities for empathetic communication.
Part II: Definitions of Communication Barriers
- Language Barrier: A communication obstacle that occurs when the individuals involved do not share a common language, which hinders effective understanding and exchange of messages.
- Cultural Barrier: A challenge that arises from differing cultural backgrounds which influence communication styles, leading to potential misunderstandings and misinterpretations of intent or message.
- Attitudinal Barrier: This barrier consists of biases or preconceived notions regarding individuals or groups that can alter how messages are conveyed and received, negatively impacting communication quality.
- Emotional Disconnect: A form of communication hindrance that occurs when there is a lack of emotional awareness or connection between the communicator and the receiver, affecting the clarity and empathy of the messages.
Part III: Table of Communication Samples and Barriers
| Communication Example | Barrier(s) Represented | Justification |
|---|---|---|
| “I don’t understand what you mean due to the language difference.” | Language Barrier | The individual expresses frustration in understanding due to language differences, highlighting the impact of this barrier on communication. |
| Staff dismisses concerns raised by clients with different cultural backgrounds. | Cultural Barrier, Attitudinal Barrier | This example demonstrates a failure to acknowledge cultural differences, leading to dismissive attitudes that impede effective communication. |
| A client is visibly upset, but staff members continue with formalities instead of addressing emotions. | Emotional Disconnect | The example illustrates a lack of emotional connection, resulting in communication that does not resonate with the client's needs. |
| “People like you never follow through with your promises.” | Attitudinal Barrier | This statement reflects bias against a specific group, impairing the overall communication process and fostering divisive sentiments. |
Part IV: Rating and Justification of Communication Effectiveness
Considering the barriers discussed, I would rate my organization’s communication effectiveness at a score of 65 on a scale of 1 to 100. This rating reflects the challenges encountered in conveying messages clearly due to the presence of significant barriers. While the organization makes efforts to promote inclusivity, the language and cultural barriers, alongside biases and emotional disconnects, create gaps in effective communication. To improve efficacy, it is essential to implement training that fosters cultural competency and enhances emotional intelligence among staff. By addressing these barriers proactively, the organization can enhance its communication effectiveness and better serve its community.
References
- Lumen Learning. (n.d.). Communication Barriers.
- Rani, K. Usha. (n.d.). Communication Barriers.
- Robinson, A. (2020). Overcoming Communication Barriers in Diverse Teams. Journal of Communication Management.
- Meyer, E. (2014). The Culture Map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business. Public Affairs.
- Harvard Business Review. (2017). How to Communicate with People from Different Cultures.
- Goud, R. (2019). Emotional Intelligence and Communication Barriers: A Study in Workplaces. Journal of Business Psychology.
- Sintro, S. (2021). Strategies for Addressing Language Barriers in Organizations. International Journal of Human Resource Management.
- Bloom, B. (2018). The Impact of Bias on Organizational Communication. Organizational Behavior Review.
- Thompson, C. (2015). Cultural Competency in Community Service Organizations. Social Work Review.
- Lee, J. (2016). Building Bridges: Effective Communication in Multicultural Teams. Management Review.