Barriers in the Workplace

You're presenting a speech to the class, but the classroom next door is so

loud that your classmates can't hear you. 

What barrier is happening?

• Physical

  (noise, distance, technology problems)

• Language

  (different languages, slang, jargon)

• Cultural

  (different backgrounds and words, beliefs, customs)

• Emotional

  (anger, stress, nervousness)

• Perceptual (different points of view, assumptions)

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A doctor explains a patient's diagnosis using difficult medical terms like

"idiopathic intracranial hypertension." The patient nods along but has no

idea what any of it means for their health.

What barrier is happening?

• Physical

  (noise, distance, technology problems)

• Emotional

  (anger, stress, nervousness)

• Language

  (different languages, slang, jargon)

• Cultural

  (different backgrounds and words, beliefs, customs)

• Perceptual (different points of view, assumptions)

You're trying to practice your speech in front of your friend, but you're so nervous about the upcoming presentation that you keep stumbling over your words and can't focus on their helpful feedback.

• Physical

  (noise, distance, technology problems)

• 
  Cultural

  (different backgrounds and words, beliefs, customs)

• Perceptual (different points of view, assumptions)

• Language

  (different languages, slang, jargon)

• 
  Emotional

  (anger, stress, nervousness)

During a group project, one student constantly uses slang that others don't understand.

What barrier is happening?

• Physical

  (noise, distance, technology problems)

• Language (different languages, slang, jargon)

• Cultural

  (different backgrounds and words, beliefs, customs)

• Emotional

  (anger, stress, nervousness)

• Perceptual (different points of view, assumptions)

Two teammates have completely different cultural traditions, and

one accidentally makes a joke the other finds offensive.

What barrier is happening?

• Physical

  (noise, distance, technology problems)

• Language (different languages, slang, jargon)

• Cultural

  (different backgrounds and words, beliefs, customs)

• Emotional

  (anger, stress, nervousness)

• Perceptual (different points of view, assumptions)

A classmate explains directions very quickly, but another students feels

nervous and doesn't want to admit they didn't understand.
What barrier is happening?

• Physical

• Language

• Cultural

• Emotional

• Perceptual

Your team is working on a project, but one person dominates

the conversation and ignores everyone else's ideas.
What barrier is happening?

• Physical

• Language

• Cultural

• Emotional

• Perceptual

Two project partners are working. One partner thinks they did the majority of the work because they spent 10 hours researching. The other partner believes they did the majority of the work because they spent 5 hours creating the final presentation, which they see as the most important part.

• Physical

• Cultural

• Perceptual

• Language

• Emotional

You are in an important video conference for work, but your internet connection is unstable.

Your video keeps freezing, and you can only hear every other word your boss says.

• Cultural

• Perceptual

• Language

• Emotion

• Physical

A teenager tries to explain a viral TikTok trend to their grandmother,

using slang terms like "rizz," "cap," and "it's giving."

The grandmother is completely confused and can't follow the story.

• Physical

• Cultural

• Language

• Perceptual

• Emotional