By George Thompson WHAT IS NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION?
Non-verbal communication is using our physical behavior, expressions, and mannerisms to communicate. Also referred to as body language, it is often instinctive rather than a conscious form of expression. All of our non-verbal behaviors— our gestures, posture, tone of voice, eye contact —send out messages. They can either put people at ease, confuse them, or even offend them on occasion, becoming barriers to effective communication. Building trust and leaving lasting impressions on others have a lot to do with our body language.
Among the types of communication, non-verbal expressions make a far more impactful statement than spoken word. Imagine a usually cheerful colleague at work walks into the office with a glum face, ignores everyone, throws his bag aside, and sits quietly staring at the wall. You turn around and ask, “Is everything ok?” He gives you a curt nod and says, “I am fine!” Now, which message do you believe? His unspoken behavior or his response? His behavior makes you think that something is definitely wrong. In other words, how we look and behave is sometimes more meaningful than what we say.
At workplaces, non verbal communication determines how people around us perceive and behave with us. Body language has the power to make or break our careers. Therefore, effective non-verbal communication is critically important for career advancement. Let us look at some simple yet useful ways to practice non-verbal communication, which is instrumental to our success at work.
NONVERBAL CUES THAT CONVEY CONFIDENCE AT WORK
Eye contact –
Eye contact communicates the level of involvement, interest, and goodwill. Always maintain proper eye contact while speaking to someone. If it is a glance at someone, maintain eye contact for at least a couple of seconds, with a nod or a smile, before looking away. Try not to dart your eyes out as it conveys anxiety or evasion.
Confident handshake –
At workplaces, the handshake is often the only appropriate expression of touch. So, it is critical to have a good handshake. A sincere smile and eye contact should accompany a good handshake. Avoid limp or aggressive handshakes. It is better to initiate the greeting than be uncertain about it.
Effective gestures –
A gesture is usually a hand movement aided by facial expressions that helps to express an idea, opinion, or emotion. A gesture should appear natural and reinforce what you are saying. Hand gestures make people listen to you. But try not not to overdo it as it can create a needless distraction.
Dress the part –
What you wear speaks volumes in the workplace. Wear appropriate clothing that helps you blend in with your organizational norms and culture. It is generally advisable to avoid showy accessories, busy patterns, and inappropriate lengths that fail to convey a polished professional presence in the workplace. Remember, you are dressing up for work.
Stand tall –
An erect posture instantly identifies you as someone positive and a person of conviction. Not only will you look more confident, but you will also feel more confident. People read a lot from what you project with your postures. Slouching or bad posture is a complete no-no for professional settings.
AND FINALLY
Respond to non-verbal cues that you spot in others around you. It is a good habit to pay close attention to the other person’s body language and voice tone. Their nonverbal cues can tell you if they have a question, want to contribute to a discussion, whether they agree with a statement, or want more clarity. By responding appropriately to others’ cues, you show a high level of empathy, sensitivity, and care for them, which builds trust.
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