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CMA Foundation · Fundamentals of Business Laws and Business Communication · Barriers to Business Communication

Ms. Iyer, a finance head in Chennai, finds that junior staff rarely report bad news to her, so information reaching her is filtered. Which measure best overcomes this barrier?

An open-door policy with direct feedback channels and no penalty for reporting problems best overcomes filtering. Juniors then feel safe passing on unfavourable information. Adding supervisors, using only memos or cutting meetings would create more filters or reduce contact, worsening the distortion of upward communication.

  1. ARequiring all reports to pass through three additional supervisors
  2. BCreating an open-door policy with direct feedback channels and no penalty for reporting problemsCorrect
  3. CRestricting communication to formal written memos only
  4. DReducing meetings with junior staff to save time

Explanation

Filtering happens when subordinates fear consequences or want to please superiors. Open, non-punitive channels encourage honest upward communication. Extra supervisors add more filtering points, and limiting contact reduces information flow.

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