Barriers to effective communication 1

Not enough time – Not giving individuals time to say what they want to may make them feel rushed and reluctant to express their true wishes.
Poor or negative body language – Crossed arms or legs, poor facial expressions, poor body positioning, constant fidgeting or looking at a watch or mobile phone can all make someone less likely to communicate.

Lack of privacy – Think carefully about where and when private and confidential conversations should take place.
Stereotyping – Generalizations about a group of people that are wrong and misleading. An example would be that ‘all older people are hard of hearing’.
Other barriers could include sensory impairments, culture, language, noise, lighting or substance misuse.