# data[].attributes.body
1. What are safe topics to start a conversation with someone that you have just met?
2. What are the social cues that you need before starting a conversation with someone?

# data[].attributes.body
Topic professional english

1)

traffic jammed

Food

Cost of living

Sport

Local attraction

2)

Body language

Facial expression

Tone of voice

Gestures

Eye expressions

# data[].attributes.body
Communication plays such a big part in our lives today. It is hard to think of a single activity that we engage in that doesn’t involve communication in some way. In our busy world, we sometimes forget just how important communications are to our success, relationships, and, ultimately, happiness in life.

# data[].attributes.body
There are a few barriers when it comes to communication:
a) Semantic barrier
b) Cultural barrier
c) Physical barrier
d) Psychological barrier
e) Physiological barrier
f) Perception barrier

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Effective communication in the workplace is not always straightforward and barriers can easily get in the way. They cause messages to become distorted, subsequently leading to confusion, misunderstanding and even offense in some cases.

In this article we discuss barriers to workplace communication and how to overcome them.

Summary of barriers to communication

Physical barriers to non-verbal communication. Not being able to see the non-verbal cues, gestures, posture and general body language can make communication less effective.

Psychological barriers, for example someone with social anxiety and/or low self-esteem may be too distracted about how they are perceived when talking with a superior.

Emotional barriers. Some people may find it difficult to express their opinions on such as politics, religion, disabilities (mental and physical), sexuality and racism.

Jargon and acronyms. Companies often have their own jargon and acronyms which new employees may struggle with.

Lack of attention, interest and distractions to the person listening.

Differences in perception and viewpoint.

Physical disabilities such as hearing problems or speech difficulties.

Differences in language and unfamiliar accents.

Expectations and prejudices which may lead to stereotyping.

Cultural differences. The norms of social interaction vary greatly in different cultures, as do the way in which emotions are expressed.

Physical barriers

Physical barriers may prevent an individual from being able to interpret non-verbal cues. This is more common in communication methods relying on technology rather than face-to-face. Other physical barriers include:

Old or broken equipment or office phone systems used for communication

Uncomfortable temperatures

Background noise

Poor lighting

Communicating close to the time of your break/ lunch/ end of work hours

Large work areas or working in an area that is physically separated from colleagues

Closed doors

Large geographic distances between the sender and the receiver - communication is usually easier over shorter differences

Open office spaces are becoming popular as they provide employees with their own workspaces while also removing visible barriers between colleagues that can interfere with communication.

Start a Free Trial

Psychological barriers

The psychological state of the speaker and listener can affect communication, for example:

Someone who suffers from social anxiety and/or low self-esteem may be too distracted about how they are perceived when talking with a superior. They may be worried about whether their manager will notice that they're nervous, they may find it difficult to share their real thoughts etc. Afterwards this person may realise they can't remember what the manager said because they were too distracted with their thoughts.

Anger can lead to saying things you regret and misinterpreting what others say.

Organisational structure barriers

Companies with unclear structures can make communication difficult. For example, they may have an inefficient information sharing and communication system, employees may not know what their role is in the communication system etc.

If a company has a complex structure with lots of management levels, information will be lost or distorted as it travels through each layer of the hierarchy.

Perceptual barriers

Differing opinions and views can reduce objectivity. You may enter a conversation assuming that the listener will not understand you or be uninterested in what you're speaking about - this may consequently lead you to unintentionally harming your message, such as, using dismissive language or trying to be more humorous.

Or you may be the listener that doesn't agree with the speaker's beliefs so you choose not to listen properly or you look for faults in what they're saying rather than trying to understand.

Attentional barriers

The listener may not pay enough attention to what is being said, perhaps they're distracted, or uninterested or they think the speaker's topic is irrelevant. This is very common in written communication, such as not reading the minutes from a team meeting. Communication is two-way; without paying attention and actively listening you will not understand the message.

Too much information

Providing someone with an overwhelming amount of details can confuse them and distract from your message. This is especially the case if the message has a lot of information that is new to the receiver.

Make sure you avoid information overload in meetings, where people can easily switch off.

Emotional barriers

Emotional reactions from either or both the speaker and listener can prevent effective communication. It's difficult to put aside and not act on our emotions but it's necessary. Try to work out what words, topics etc. can trigger your strong emotional reactions so you can create a plan for managing them.

A common emotion, in regard to communication, is fear. People often have the tendency to think that their opinions don't matter in the workplace or that people will negatively judge them if they speak up. But this isn't the case and it's likely that others around you will also feel too afraid to say anything so they'll respect you when you do speak up. What is valuable to you will be valuable to another person.

Cultural barriers

Cultural barriers can interfere with communication in a variety of ways:

The norms of communication vary between cultures, such as, personal space. It's important to find common ground in these situations.

People may form assumptions based on stereotypes of the other person's culture (cultural noise).

Work cultures differ between companies which means you have to adapt to your company's culture to communicate effectively.

Assumptions, jumping to conclusions and premature evaluations

Forming a judgement before listening to everything the speaker has to say distorts your understanding. People often hear what they're expecting which can lead to false conclusions.

Semantic and language barriers

There may be:

Language differences between the speaker and the listeners

Difficulties in understanding unfamiliar accents

Uses of: jargon, unfamiliar/regional expressions, specialist abbreviations, slang, technical terminology

All of the above can exclude others and lead to misinterpretations or even offense so you need to speak in a direct and clear way to be understood.

Interpersonal barriers

Low self-esteem and prejudices can prevent you from forming relationships and connections with others due to your false perceptions. To overcome this you need to communicate more with others to increase your confidence and learn about your strengths and weaknesses.

Physiological barriers

Impaired eyesight, hearing problems, illness and pain can interfere with effective communication in the workplace.

Start a Free Trial

Lack of similarities

To clarify your points it's common to use examples and stories. However, their impact is reduced if: the other person does not find these relatable, they don't have the same knowledge or the same experiences as you.

Also, information is filtered on a personal level using our experiences and beliefs. The more similar somebody is to you the more likely they will view things in the same way. So speakers with different socioeconomic backgrounds to their listeners must be careful to tailor their speech to their audience.

Ambiguity

Being vague in your explanations and using too many generalisations or proverbs can lead to unclear communication and misinterpretation.

Status

Communication may suffer from selective communication. The top of a company's hierarchy may not share certain information to subordinates for fear of being judged as incompetent and they want to reinforce status differences.

Subordinates tend to share only information that would please their superiors and avoid sharing their mistakes and asking for further clarification on work.

Shortage of time

There may simply be a lack of time to convey information effectively.

Resistance to change

People may want to maintain the status quo so when, for example, a speaker tries to provide ideas involving a change, people may ignore or oppose it.

Credibility barriers

People are more likely to listen to a message if the sender has a credible and trustworthy reputation. Without this credibility, receivers may be suspicious, resistant or even hostile towards communication.

In summary

To communicate effectively in the workplace you need to be aware of these barriers and try to overcome them. Developing empathy can be particularly helpful for this, as it's easy to get frustrated at the other person involved in the conversation, thus reducing the quality of the communication.

Empathy increases your patience which allows you to be thoughtful and come up with solutions in an effective and calm manner.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Barriers to Effective Communication in the Workplace

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Effective communication is not always straightforward and barriers can easily get in the way. They cause messages to become distorted, subsequently leading to confusion and misunderstanding. In this article, we describe these barriers to communication.

# data[].attributes.body
1) Najwa
2) Intan
3) Fazlin
4) Mira
5) Sophia
6) Iman
7) Elly
8) Sobhan

# data[].attributes.body
Cultural Barrier and Semantic Barrier

-Aiman
-Naim
-Jun
-Aqish

# data[].attributes.body
Cultural Barrier and Semantic Barrier

-Aiman
-Naim
-Jun
-Aqish

# data[].attributes.body
Psychological barrier
-Yasmeen
-Izni
-nana
-Syabil
-Daing

# data[].attributes.body
Physical barriers
-yasmeen
-Izni
-nana
-Daing
-syabil

# data[].attributes.headline
SAMPLE MSE QUESTION FOR COMMUNICATION BARRIERS

# data[].attributes.subject
SAMPLE MSE QUESTION FOR COMMUNICATION BARRIERS

# data[].attributes.body
Bias and Habit
-Naim
-Danial
-Aqish
-Aiman
-Jun
-Syakila

# data[].attributes.body
1. Intan
2. Najwa
3. Mira
4. Sofiya
5. Afiqah
6. Amielia
7. Sobhan

# data[].attributes.body
Communication influences; ego and educational background
-yasmeen
-Izni
-Nana
-syabil
-Daing

# data[].attributes.headline
PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION AT THE WORKPLACE

# data[].attributes.subject
PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION AT THE WORKPLACE

# data[].attributes.body
Please watch the video on Workplace Communication.            1.  What is workplace communication?
2. What can be considered as effective workplace communication?
3. Identify the advantages & disadvantages of workplace communication.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Interpersonal skills are those we use every day to communicate and interact with others, including listening, speaking and questioning skills. They are the foundation for success in life.

# data[].attributes.body
- Strong interpersonal skills will enable you to talk to and work with all types of people, including managers, coworkers, and customers.
-It helps you to develop relationships with people. Strong relationships with the people you work with will help you succeed in the workplace.

# data[].attributes.body
Format on how to answer case study questions:
a) Introduction : A brief background on the interpersonal skills discussed in the case study.
b) Identify the issues in the case study.
c) Solutions or recommendations to the issues.
d) Conclusion - just a brief summary of what you have written.

# data[].attributes.body
A) Verbal, non- verbal, written and visualisation are four ways of how people communicate. Define communication and explain the FOUR methods above.
B) Identify FIVE examples of non-verbal communication with relevant examples.

# data[].attributes.headline
SAMPLE MSE QUESTION FOR WORKPLACE COMMUNICATION

# data[].attributes.subject
SAMPLE MSE QUESTION FOR WORKPLACE COMMUNICATION

# data[].attributes.body
1.  One’s personal characteristics can affect the way one communicates. Describe FIVE (5) characteristics and provide examples of how each can have an impact on the way a person communicates.

# data[].attributes.body
a) Communication is the process to exchange information to one person or another either by verbal,non verbal,written and visualisation.

4 methods : 1. Verbal communication is the use of spoken words or language to convey a message from one person to another. It can take place in various forms such as face-to-face conversations, phone calls, meetings, and presentations. Effective verbal communication requires clear speaking and active listening.
2. Nonverbal communication is a method of communication that involves the use of gestures, facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice to convey a message without using words. It is a form of communication that often complements verbal communication and can provide additional meaning and context to a message.
3. Written communication is a method of communication that involves the use of written words to convey a message from one person to another. It includes various forms such as emails, letters, memos, reports, messages, and texts. Written communication is a permanent record of a message and can be referenced and shared with others. It is important to use clear and concise language, proper grammar and punctuation, and an appropriate tone to effectively communicate in writing. Written communication is often used in professional settings but is also important in personal communication.
4. Visual communication is a method of communication that uses images, graphics, symbols, and other visual aids to convey a message from one person to another. It can include various forms such as charts, graphs, diagrams, photographs, videos, and infographics. Visual communication is an effective way to communicate complex information and can be used to enhance understanding and engagement. It is important to use visual aids that are clear, relevant, and easy to understand to effectively communicate using this method. Visual communication is used in a variety of contexts, including education, marketing, and advertising.

b) As for the non-verbal communication, here's 5 example of non verbal. First of all, to show that we understand, nodding is one of the body movement in non verbal communication. Next, it would be the facial expression tends to be obvious when we don't like a person, we avoid talking to that person by rolling the eyes to them and not smiling. Other than that, body posture of crossing our arm shows that we are reserve and not comfortable to talk. In addition, queing in a certain area might invade our personal space. Last but least, making rye contact while talking to someone shows we interested and understand a person.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Perhaps office etiquette is something that differs from office to office and place to place. Even if this is true, comprehending basic etiquette in the workplace helps things run a bit smoother. Even if we know what social etiquette is, in an office setting, it is a little different when it comes to expectations.

What is office etiquette and why is it important? Office etiquette is simply defined as basic manners in the world of business. It is important because it cuts down on stress and conflict between coworkers, which ultimately affects the company's success.

Even though office etiquette is considered basic manners, some people need to be informed on what he is she should or should not do in the workplace. The benefits of learning etiquette in the office are many. It is likely that encouraging better workplace manners will create a better culture.

Basic Etiquette and Importance

Many workplace etiquette rules align with basic human decency, i.e., be kind, don't steal, and avoid raising your voice. While these are some of the glaringly obvious etiquette standards, there are a variety of other tips that will make the office environment better for everyone.

Meetings are common events in any industry. If attending a meeting be sure to pay complete attention to whoever is speaking. This means that you should not be speaking to your neighbor, texting, emailing, or playing a game on your phone. Also, be sure that your phone or tablet has been muted to minimize distractions. Avoid doodling and spacing out. Ensuring that the meeting moves along smoothly will boost productivity.

Proper office etiquette online comes into play when trading work emails. By responding to emails as quickly as possible, an employee can not only ensure that the necessary information is provided to complete projects on time, but also proves that the project is important. It's also courteous to reply as soon as possible. Leaving the sender hanging does nothing but raise more questions and waste time.

Be sure that common areas or conference rooms are not being utilized to take personal calls or turn into your office space. Allow common areas to remain in common areas. Keep conversations at an appropriate volume and recognize if you might do something to distract another employee from his or her work.

Consider the idea that others in the office may be sensitive to smells. This means avoid spraying (or wearing) perfumes or colognes, think about the smell your lunch might bring, and be sure to practice good hygiene. When people are working long days in one space, lingering smells are not generally pleasant.

Clean up after yourself. While it should not be your mother's job to pick up after you, it is most definitely not the purpose of your coworkers. Not only should you clean up any messes made in the common areas like the kitchen or lunchroom, but your office space should be tidy as well. If coworkers have to spend any amount of time in your space, or if they simply have to look at it, it should be well-kept.

Although working while sick can display your dedication to the job, it can also get others sick. It is not a form of good office etiquette to come to work coughing or sneezing. The transfer of illness between coworkers is a way to diminish staff for the life of the illness. If you absolutely must work while sick, ensure that hand sanitizer and disinfectant is used regularly, tissues are thrown in the trash, and your mouth is well-covered when sneezing or coughing. The spreading of germs is not good for any office, so measures of prevention should be taken seriously.

Respecting the privacy of others is also an important aspect of basic office etiquette rules. This often starts with the company defining appropriate boundaries when it comes to conversation and touching. Considering the feelings of coworkers is a big part of respecting the privacy of others. Think about how he or she might feel about the questions you ask before asking, or how they might respond to stepping into his or her personal space.

Just because you would be comfortable with a coworker sitting on your desk does not mean that someone else might. Be tolerant of others' views and ideas on what he or she is comfortable with. Consideration of other cultures and personalities is key to having an effective and cohesive team. Work as a team by treating coworkers like teammates.

With the inclusion of work etiquette, companies can see a variety of benefits. One of the most obvious of these benefits is the improvement in coworker relationships. With fewer complications between differing personalities, a business will find that the team works together more flawlessly and efficiently. That efficiency translates into productivity.

Utilizing proper business etiquette often allows for more growth within the company. Skills will not be overshadowed by a lack of manners. Communication will be enhanced by common etiquette practices, which in turn displays the ability to handle a number of professional and social situations. Employees that are better at communication are often those that are good at their jobs.

Having a sense of proper etiquette also inspires open minds that are inclusive to diversity. Because of the better relationships established from simple manners, workers are more likely to have great relations with people that are different from themselves. Etiquette provides an avenue for people of different races, religions, genders, sexual orientations, and more to listen to different ideas and thoughts - that benefit alone branches out into a number of other benefits from a diverse team.

Perhaps one of the biggest advantages of office etiquette is how are moves beyond the workplace. Sometimes you might find yourself shocked at the lack of manners that others display in public. However, if companies were to make etiquette a priority, it can be difficult to turn off at the end of the day. Well-mannered employees would just become well-mannered people. That benefits everyone, not just the company.

The understanding that office etiquette is simply common manners and should be made a priority in a work setting is key to developing a strong team and brand image. While these kinds of manners may seem common sense to most, there has been a disconnect in some situations that call for the expectations of employee manners to be specifically defined. The next question that arises is, how do companies define the expectations of employee manners? Learning how to approach this is often vital to the success of a business.

Incorporating Office Etiquette

Despite the previous assumption that etiquette is common sense, developing specific rules and expectations surrounding the topic is the best way in which a company can ensure that employees understand how they are to act in an office setting. By having written expectations, confusion can be avoided between cultures. It is also ideal to incorporate some office etiquette training so that employees are more prepared for proper work behavior.

By defining the most common etiquette rules in the employee handbook, workers will understand the basics of what is expected of them. While it is most likely impossible to include every single rule regarding behavior in the workplace, it is a starting point. Company leaders can do a variety of things to encourage better manners at work.

Management should start by leading by example. If the higher-ups have the ability to get through a meeting without checking his or her phone, it should be possible for those further down the corporate ladder. On the flip side, a manager that is constantly looking at his or her phone or taking personal phone calls is one that encourages employees under him or her to do the same.

Even if a working group is incredibly close, be sure to use professional language - cursing in the work environment can slip into swearing in inappropriate work situations. By communicating efficiently and without added, unnecessary slang or lingo, a manager and his or her employees can be ready for business conversation when the need arises.

In addition to proper language and actions, training should be offered to all members of the organization. Unfortunately, most companies only put their senior most employees through business etiquette training. However, the benefits that a company would discover when all employees are trained can inspire the inclusion of all employees.

Training in etiquette can be as simple as going over specifics in a company-wide meeting or as expensive as hiring an outside company to do the process for you. Typically, outside companies are qualified in engaging personnel in ways like role play, group discussion, and written learning or tests. Deciding how to go about training is typically dependent upon the time you have to out into the training and the funds you might have available.

Office etiquette, while something many people simply expect others to have, is often a quality that should be taught. With the differences in culture, generations, and people in general, having employees that understand how they should act can save employees from a number of headaches.

Effects of NO Etiquette

Bad manners in the work environment can lead to a variety of struggles and problems. Although these issues might be small or pass in time, it is important to identify the effects of a coworker lacking etiquette. When we can identify the problem, we are better able to determine a solution.

One of the most obvious issues with a lack of manners in the workplace is anger or irritation. When a coworker is rude or ignores general rules of social etiquette, we might find ourselves with a sour attitude. If the behavior is affecting more than just your work, but also other coworkers, it may be apparent that the behavior needs to be addressed. While ignoring the problem and moving on with your day might be appropriate for issues that bother no one else, upsetting the entirety of the office is not a good work environment.

Taking action against coworkers that lack office manners is the only way to get the behavior to stop. The action taken should not be condescending or rude, as that will make the situation more uncomfortable. Rather, be kind and understanding toward the person committing the offense. Adults should have the capacity to discuss their differences in a professional manner.

Another side effect of bad manners in the workplace is stress. Stress causes a number of health concerns and can alter the course of a work day or performance. By combating stress in other ways, like letting in natural light, drinking enough water, and getting plenty of sleep, it may be easier to deal with the issue at hand. If these natural remedies make no improvements on your overall stress level, organize a short training session or meeting on office etiquette and its effect on stress.

Detrimental effects on the company as a whole can stem from just one employee with no etiquette. Strained relationships in an office setting can diminish productivity and develop a negative image. This is why addressing the matter at hand is imperative. When a talk with the person in question makes no change, nor does a company-wide informational meeting, it may be time to remind the person time and time again - while being realistic about the change. Remember, this person has likely made the issue a habit. Breaking that habit may take some time.

If an employee is unable (or unwilling) to make a change, it may be necessary to take disciplinary action. While the severity of the punishment depends on the specific behavior, it is important to make a change before the bad habit causes irreparable damage. It may seem extreme that a lack of polite behavior can cause such damages, but a toxic environment can cause hard feelings over time.

As previously discussed, office etiquette is, in its most basic terms, the basic understanding of workplace manners. It is an important part of the business office because of its impact on relationships within the company. Defining behavioral expectations is imperative in preventing issues before they start. If problems do arise and become bothersome to coworkers, discussing change is key to improving. Without behavioral change, a business can suffer in the long run.

How should an employee handle a confrontation with a coworker? First and foremost, always go into a confrontation assuming that your coworker had good intentions. Secondly, speak face to face rather than via email, even when uncomfortable. Lastly, think about if the confrontation is really necessary or if you can simply move on.

How can you move past anger or irritation at work? Physically move away from the issue. If something is starting to grind your gears, take a break. Go for a walk outside or put the stairwell to use. Do not approach the issue again until the emotional response has subsided.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What is Office Etiquette and Why is it Important? | Open Sourced Workplace

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What is office etiquette and why is it important? Office etiquette is simply defined as basic manners in the world of business. It is important because it cuts down on stress and conflict between coworkers, which ultimately affects the company's success.

# data[].attributes.body
A meeting is when two or more people come together to discuss one or more topics, often in a formal or business setting, but meetings also occur in a variety of other environments.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Identify the different types of meetings conducted at the workplace.
2. How has COVID19 change the way we conduct meetings? What is the etiquette for online meetings?
3. How do meetings work to shape the organizational culture?
4. What is the connection between quality meetings and quality work?
5. Provide examples when meetings are considered as ineffective.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Four Main Meeting Roles And Why They're Important

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Assign these four meeting roles for a quick, effective meeting: Leader, Recorder, Timekeeper, and Participant. Learn who does what, and why.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The language and sample sentences discussed here can be helpful when you are either running or participating in a meeting in English.

# data[].attributes.headline
SAMPLE MEETING - MINUTES OF MEETING (EXERCISE 1)

# data[].attributes.subject
SAMPLE MEETING - MINUTES OF MEETING (EXERCISE 1)