2.6.2—Barriers to communication

A communication barrier prevents a message from being received, understood or acted on as intended.

Common mechanisms include jargon or language differences, information overload, status and cultural assumptions, poor timing, noise, and a channel with no feedback. Diagnose the point of failure before choosing a fix.

If a technical team sends an acronym-heavy update to frontline staff, the message may be delivered but not understood. A plain-language summary plus a check-back can repair meaning more effectively than sending the same document again.

Silence is not proof that communication succeeded. Check understanding and distinguish a channel problem from disagreement with the decision.