The Professional Supervisor

Communication Barriers and Active Listening Communication is the ability to send messages and have the other person understand them—even if they do not respond. As a supervisor, your effectiveness depends heavily on how well you communicate. Understanding what gets in the way—and how to listen more effectively—is foundational. Common Communication Barriers Many things can interfere with clear communication: **Emotions:** Anger prevents you from hearing clearly. Strong feelings of any kind can cloud judgment. **Attitudes:** A negative attitude can block openness to change; overconfidence can stop you from seeing reality. **Prejudice and Background:** Personal biases, cultural assumptions, and judgments based on someone's background distort perception. **Subject Knowledge Imbalances:** When one person dominates with their expertise—or pretends to know more than they do—resentment or mistrust can result. **Noise and Environment:** Physical noise or a distracting setting makes it difficult to receive a complete message. **Ambiguity:** Vague language creates confusion. Clear, specific wording removes uncertainty. **Non-Verbal Signals:** Your body language communicates even when you say nothing. Turning away, avoiding eye contact, or crossing your arms sends a message. Active Listening Active listening goes far beyond simply hearing. It is an *attitude* that leads to shared understanding. When you actively listen, you: **Listen for total meaning:** Pay attention to both the words spoken and the emotion behind them. Is the speaker excited, frustrated, ambivalent,