From time to time, IABC Malaysia Chapter shares with you features of communications interest in this section -

“GREAT COMMUNICATORS ARE NOT BORN ~ THEY ARE MADE”

Even if you are already an experienced communicator, there will still be occasions when you fail to get you message across as effectively as you hoped.

There are six main barriers which can prevent you from getting your message across effectively:

#1: Your Message Contains Errors
Even simple mistakes can significantly alter your intended message. An example related to me personally was as follows: my friend had sent a memo to her colleagues around the world about attendance to a conference. It read: “To all interested panties” instead of parties, a typo error which earned her instant recognition!

#2: Your Message Contains Ambiguities
Words often have more than one meaning which can seriously distort or change your intended message.

#3: Key Points of Your Message are Misinterpreted
If something is misinterpreted, the meaning they attach to your to your message may only come to light when they do or say something inappropriate on the basis of that misinterpretation.

#4: Key Points of Your Message are Misunderstood
It is often helpful to illustrate unfamiliar concepts by means of an anecdote, an analogy or a metaphor.

#5: Key Points of Your Message are Forgotten
The best way to enhance recall is by providing written notes, or use visual aids eg. slides, overheads, handouts for groups.

#6: Your Messages are Interpreted Subjectively
This happens when the listener heard not what was said but what they thought was said.


Edited from “How To Get Your Message Across” by Dr. David Lewis