We are all aware of verbal skills. But what about nonverbal communication skills? How many of us are aware of its importance?
Verbal and nonverbal abilities are equally required in every professional setting. In this article, we will detail the types and importance of nonverbal communication. Read along to learn more.
What is the meaning of Non-Verbal Communication Skills?
Do you know what non-verbal communication is? Let us take a look at its definition.
This kind of communication does not use language or words. It is solely based on facial expression, body posture, gestures, etc. The standard techniques of nonverbal communication are nodding, smiling, etc.
Types of Non-Verbal Communication
As the nonverbal meaning suggests the absence of words, maintaining the position of other features becomes important. Let us look at the different types of nonverbal communication.
A. Body Language
Keeping proper, optimistic, and confident body language would be best.
- Posture and stance: It is important to maintain a straight and confident posture in communication. Pull back your shoulders. Do not slouch or look hesitant. Keep a wide stance between your feet. Your toes should be pointed straight.
- Gestures and hand movements: Do not tuck your hands in the pocket. Be aware of how you use your hands. Your hands should be visible. However, do not overwork your hands. Avoid touching your face. Keep the hands folded on the table when not using them.
- Facial expressions: Facial expressions are very important in communication. Maintain a smile. Nod in understanding at proper intervals. Avoid negative and confused expressions.
- Eye contact: Maintain continuous eye contact. This helps the person in front to believe you are engaged in the conversation. Keep your head high. Avoid shifting eye contact every and then.
B. Paralanguage
In the case of paralanguage communication, no words or language is used. However, unlike others, voices play a role here.
- Tone and pitch of voice: Make sure the tone of your voice is positive and confident. Avoid showing any hesitance. Keep the pitch enthusiastic. However, avoid shrill and high pitches.
- Speed and rhythm of speech: When you are saying “hmm,” “Han,” etc., consider the intervals. Maintain a proper speed. You must say it in a proper rhythm. For instance, at the end of each line or sentence.
- Pauses and silences: Do not think pauses and silences show uncertainty. Rather, use it properly for asserting something. Take a pause while explaining something critical. A silence at that time will aid in better understanding.
Also Read: Mastering Essential Communication Skills
C. Proxemics
Another interesting nonverbal communication is proxemics. It means the way you arrange the space around you.
- Personal space and distance: How you keep your distance also matters. Try to maintain a 2-foot distance. Keeping a distance of more than 2-3 feet is not advised. It usually means you are not comfortable around them.
- Seating arrangements: Always opt for a U-shaped arrangement. Row-wise, it might discourage the last ones to sit. However, in a U-shaped arrangement, no one is left out. It is also suitable for establishing a two-way flow of information.
- Physical touch and contact: Handshakes and greetings are the primary contact points in a professional setting. Do not avoid handshakes – both at first and at last. Make sure you have a confident, friendly, and firm handshake.
D. Appearance
The way you look is also an essential part of nonverbal communication. It contributes considerably to the way the person in front perceives you.
- Clothing and attire: Decking up is not the key. Rather, abiding by professional clothing standards is advised. For instance, wearing neutral colours like white, beige, black, etc., and opting for formals or, at the most, semi-formals will change the way others perceive you.
- Grooming and hygiene: Proper hygiene is equally important. Make sure you smell fresh and have no bad breath. Additionally, your hair is properly combed, your beard and moustache are trimmed properly (for men), your clothes are ironed and look presentable, etc. Avoid looking dull and tired.
- Accessories and personal items: This is not similar to wearing heavy makeup. For women, choose a nude shade for your makeup. Opt for small and office-wear earrings. Generally, wearing a watch, carrying a pen, etc. can be considered.
Also Read: Streamlining Workplace Communication: Models, Tips, Strategies & Examples
Importance of Non-Verbal Communication
Nonverbal communication is very important in a professional environment, especially in meetings and public speaking. The skill is useful in both cases, whether you are the speaker or the listener.
A. Conveying Emotions and Attitudes
One of the most essential benefits is maintaining a healthy office environment. This kind of communication can connect everyone.
- Expressing feelings and moods: People can easily express their emotions without properly wording them out. If someone is not feeling good, you can easily understand their conduct.
- Indicating interest, empathy, or discomfort: Simple vocal sounds can indicate empathy or interest in someone or something. Additionally, a person’s rhythm, tone, or gesture can indicate whether they are uncomfortable.
B. Enhancing Verbal Communication
There are several messages best spoken by nonverbal communication, especially silences and gestures.
- Reinforcing or contradicting spoken words: We often encounter situations where we cannot find the right word. Here comes the importance of gestures and paralanguage. A simple smile or nod can easily send the message.
- Providing additional context and meaning: Silences and pauses give a context an extra edge. Body posture or eye contact can also add meaning to a certain context.
C. Building Rapport and Relationships
It is a myth that words and language are always needed to establish good relations. A handshake, a smile, an affirmative nod, or an encouraging gesture can easily do that.
- Creating a positive first impression: If you are an introvert, then nonverbal communication is your strength. You might not always be good with words, but do not worry; replace it with a friendly nod, smile, or encouraging gesture.
- Establishing trust and credibility: Attentive facial expressions, maintaining proper eye contact, making rhythmic use of paralanguage, etc., can help to build trust and credibility.
- Fostering connection and understanding: Approachable and friendly body language or a smiling gesture can easily build new connections and establish a sense of understanding.
D. Influencing Perceptions and Decisions
Actions like persuasion and negotiation might not always be successful with words. To add more effect, nonverbal communication can be more effective.
- Projecting confidence and authority: If proper gestures are included, then confidence and authority can be projected. For instance, standing straight with a wide stance, firm handshakes, etc., can help in this case.
- Persuading and negotiating effectively: Though it is true that you need language and words for these activities. However, emphasising gestures and vocal behaviour can help establish more assertion. Additionally, you can sound more compelling using these techniques.
- Leaving a lasting impact: Your appearance and personality can impact the person in front. Moreover, your hand gestures, paralanguage usage, etc., can contribute to creating an impact.
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Tips to Improve Non-Verbal Communication Skills
A. Be Aware of Your Body Language
Body language is the most important nonverbal communication tool as it determines one’s personality. Hence, one should always stand in a straight and confident posture.
Your hand gestures, including head nods and walking pace, should always define your purpose and create an impact.
Avoid confused or weird facial expressions. Instead, make sure they portray positivity and encouragement. Even when you smile, ensure that it makes sense.
Maintaining eye contact is different from staring. The former means trying to be engaging and attentive. The latter shows you are clueless and compelled to listen. Hence, avoid staring at all costs.
B. Use Your Voice Effectively
Your vocal behaviour should make sense and not be unnatural. For example, you should speak with assertion, clarity, and volume—not too demanding or overconfident, not too loud or too low.
Different contexts require different emphasis when speaking. Hence, change your tone and pitch to convey your emotions. Avoid following a general voice throughout.
Additionally, pauses and silences are definitely necessary, but they should be used strategically. Overusing them may sound boring and meaningless.
C. Manage Personal Space and Distance
It is necessary not to distance yourself much. However, do not be overly friendly. This can lead to invading others’ privacy. Hence, learn to manage your distance correctly.
Whenever possible, opt for a U-shaped arrangement. This will help to engage everyone equally. If, in any case, you have to opt for a row-wise arrangement, then make sure you occasionally engage with those sitting at the last.
Anything beyond handshakes needs consent and permission. Even if it is a friendly pat, the person in front needs to be comfortable. If you unknowingly have done it, immediately apologise.
D. Pay Attention to Appearance and Grooming
Dressing according to the occasion is a major skill. Your audience needs to feel pleasant when they look at you. However, that does not mean decking up. Rather, dress to enhance your personality.
Never attend public speaking or meetings in sweaty attire. If necessary, change clothes. You need to look and smell fresh. Moreover, mouth fresheners should be used to prevent bad breath.
Always keep a pocket perfume, comb, mouth fresheners, etc., handy so you are ready for any situation. Moreover, wear minimal and not too-flashy accessories. These will enhance your image but not appear overdone.
E. Observe and Adapt to Cultural Differences
Cross-culture is common in office frameworks. Hence, it is paramount for employees to learn the nonverbal communication norms so that they do not feel left out.
Sometimes, we might find some gestures normal. However, it might not be very respectful to someone else. Hence, monitor how people react to your gestures and make rectifications accordingly.
This concept is not stagnant. It is more about evolving; hence, always be ready to change your communication style as the situation or audience demands.
F. Practise Active Listening
Communication is a two-way thing. Hence, sometimes it is necessary to listen rather than talk. Make sure you are attentive while listening.
Portray your attention through the various nonverbal communication techniques. Opt for eye contact, meaning nods and facial expressions, etc.
Avoid interrupting the speaker with disturbing behaviours, such as being noisy and inattentive. This will disturb the entire office atmosphere.
G. Seek Feedback and Self-Reflection
Ask for feedback from your peers to gauge the standard of your skills. Always be ready to make necessary changes.
You can also monitor your behaviour and review it accordingly. For this, you must be attentive to how people react to your gestures.
Self-assessment is very important. Hence, identify areas where you can improve. Set your goals and take effective measures to fulfil those goals.
Conclusion
To thrive in a professional environment, learning nonverbal communication is fundamental. Since they are efficient in conveying messages in a subtle yet assertive manner, moreover, they can add more edge to verbal communication.
FAQs on Non-Verbal Communication Skills
Q1. What does the nonverbal communication definition state?
A1. This is known as communicating without the usage of words or language. Gestures, body language, attire, paralanguage, etc., are the main agents of communication.
Q2. What is the importance of non-verbal communication skills?
A2. In several cases, words might have limitations when explaining a definite concept. As the non-verbal communication meaning clearly says that language is absent, it helps to convey the message clearly. Especially in case of discomfort and ensuring attentiveness without disturbing the speaker.
Q3. What are some of the basic nonverbal communication skills?
A3. Some of the major skills here are confident and approachable body language, proper and meaningful facial expressions, active listening, learning to be friendly but not invading personal space, proper use of paralanguage like silences and vocal behaviour, etc.
Q4. How to improve my nonverbal communication skills?
A4. You can easily monitor yourself and identify areas for improvement. Additionally, carefully observe how people react to your gestures and change accordingly. Lastly, you can always ask for reviews from your peers.
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