Non-Verbal Communication

1. What is nonverbal communication?

Nonverbal communication is the transfer of information through the use
of body language including eye contact, facial expressions, gestures and more.
For example, smiling when you meet someone conveys friendliness, acceptance
and openness. Everyone uses nonverbal communication all the time whether
they know it or not.
Nonverbal communication is dependent on seeing and analyzing physical
movements as opposed to verbal communication, or the use of language to
transfer information through written text, speaking or sign language.

2. Why is nonverbal communication important?

Nonverbal communication is important because it gives us valuable
information about a situation including how a person might be feeling, how
someone receives information and how to approach a person or group of people.
Paying attention to and developing the ability to read nonverbal
communications is an invaluable skill you can leverage at every stage of your
career.

3. Benefits of effective nonverbal communication

There are several ways nonverbal communication can support your
ability to communicate effectively in the workplace, including:
 It supports your message.
When having a conversation, participating in a meeting or engaging in
conversation, nonverbal cues can emphasize and underscore the content of
your message. For example, using hand gestures to indicate the
importance of an idea may tell your listeners to pay attention to and
remember a key point.
 It communicates messages.
You may also use only nonverbal communication to communicate with
others. For example, if someone is explaining a sentiment you admire and
agree with, you might nod your head up and down to express solidarity.
 It shows intention.
Your body language may also intentionally or unintentionally express
your current condition. For example, people may pick up nonverbal cues
that you are being dishonest, unengaged, excited or aggressive.
  It conveys feelings.
You can also use nonverbal communication to show your feelings, such as
disappointment, relief, happiness, contentment and more.
 It offers support.
Nonverbal cues are also a great way to show support. Whether it's a
simple smile or pat on the back, actions may speak louder than words in
many cases.
 It showcases your personality.
Nonverbal communication is a great way to show who you are. For
example, a kind and optimistic person might frequently smile with open
body language and offer friendly touches.
 It indicates a desired action.
This might include inching toward a door to indicate your desire to leave
the room, raising your hand to offer an idea or putting your hand out to
meet someone new.
 It deescalates tension.
Using a calm tone of voice, open body language and directive gestures
may help to resolve a difficult situation.

4. Types of nonverbal communication

There are several types of nonverbal communications you should be
aware of, including:
1) Body language
Body language is the way someone situates their body depending on the
situation, the environment and how they are feeling.
Example: Someone might cross their arms if they are feeling angry or
nervous.
2) Movement
The way you move your arms and legs such as walking quickly or
slowly, standing, sitting or fidgeting, can all convey different messages
to onlookers.
Example: Sitting still and paying attention in a meeting conveys respect
and attention.
3) Posture
The way you sit or stand can also communicate your comfort level,
professionalism and general disposition towards a person or conversation.
Example: Someone might slouch their shoulders if they feel tired,
frustrated or disappointed.
4) Gestures
While gestures vary widely across communities, they are generally used
both intentionally and unintentionally to convey information to others.
Example: Someone might display a “thumbs up” to communicate
confirmation or that they feel positive about something.
5) Space
Creating or closing distance between yourself and the people around you
can also convey messages about your comfort level, the importance of the
conversation, your desire to support or connect with others and more.
Example: You might stand two to three feet away from a new contact to
respect their boundaries.
6) Paralanguage
Paralanguage includes the non-language elements of speech, such as your
talking speed, pitch, intonation, volume and more.
Example: You might speak quickly if you are excited about something.
 7) Facial expressions
One of the most common forms of nonverbal communication is facial
expressions. Using the eyebrows, mouth, eyes and facial muscles to
convey emotion or information can be very effective.
Example: Someone might raise their eyebrows and open their eyes
widely if they feel surprised.
8) Eye contact
Strategically using eye content (or lack of eye contact) is an extremely
effective way to communicate your attention and interest.
Example: Looking away from someone and at the ground or your phone
may convey disinterest or disrespect.
9) Touch
Some people also use touch as a form of communication. Most
commonly, it is used to communicate support or comfort. This form of
communication should be used sparingly and only when you know the
receiving party is okay with it. It should never be used to convey anger,
frustration or any other negative emotions.
Example: Placing your hand on a friend’s shoulder may convey support
or empathy.

5. How to read body language

Reading body language is a difficult skill you will continue to develop
throughout your career. While each person uses nonverbal communication
differently, there are several common cues to pay attention to that will inform
you about a person’s feelings, intentions, motivations and more. When you are
communicating with someone, it’s helpful to notice their body language while
also taking in their verbal communication.
Here are a few uses of body language to look for:
1) Posture
If a person has their shoulders back and spine straight, this is a sign that
they are engaged, listening and open to the ideas or information you are
presenting. If they are exhibiting poor posture with their shoulders
slouched or raised and spine bent, they might be nervous, anxious or
angry.
2) Use of arms
If a person has their arms down to their side, on the table or arranged in
some other open way, this is a sign that they feel positive and ready to
 absorb information. If their arms are crossed or closed, they might be
experiencing some sort of negative emotion.
3) Use of legs
If a person has both feet placed flat on the ground, this is a sign that they
feel ready and open to hear your ideas. If their legs are crossed or
arranged in some other closed formation, they might be feeling irritated
or stressed.
4) Use of facial expressions
If you are communicating with someone who is frowning, has a furrowed
brow or tight lips, you might pause to ensure they don’t feel confused,
angry or some other negative emotion. If you are communicating with
someone who has a soft smile, relaxed facial muscles or gently raised
eyebrows, this is a sign that they feel good about the information you are
presenting.

6. How to respond to body language

Be sensitive when responding to nonverbal communications. Many
people may be unaware of their body language and might be embarrassed if you
bring it up. If you sense someone might be angry, anxious or confused during
your communications, take a moment to consider the best course of action
based on the individual.
If you feel it would be beneficial to ask how they are feeling in the
moment, gently address them with something like:
“I sense you might be feeling overwhelmed with my presentation. Is there
something I can take time to explain, or an idea you’d like to give feedback
on?”
OR
“Is this is a good time to talk about our new process? If not, I’m happy to find a
better time we can chat.”
If you are in a meeting with several people, it might be a better idea to
address them afterward in a one-on-one setting.

7. Learning the Language
Many popular books on non-verbal communication present the topic as
if it were a language that can be learned, the implication being that if the
meaning of every nod, eye movement, and gesture were known, the real
feelings and intentions of a person would be understood. This, of course, is
absolutely true.
Unfortunately interpreting non-verbal communication is not that
simple. As our Interpersonal Communication page, non-verbal
communication is not a language with a fixed meaning. It is influenced and
driven by the context in which it occurs. This includes both the place and the
people concerned, as well as the culture.
For example, a nod of the head between colleagues in a committee
meeting may mean something very different from when the same action is used
to acknowledge someone across a crowded room, and again when two people
are having a social conversation.
Non-verbal communication may also be both conscious and
unconscious. Facial expressions are particularly hard to control, because we
cannot see ourselves to know what we are doing. We may, therefore complicate
communication by trying to convey one message consciously, while in fact
conveying quite another unconsciously.
Interpersonal communication is further complicated because it
is usually not possible to interpret a gesture or expression accurately on its
own. Non-verbal communication consists of a complete package of
expressions, hand and eye movements, postures, and gestures which should be
interpreted along with speech (verbal communication).

Scources:
https://www.skillsyouneed.com/ips/nonverbal-communication.html
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/nonverbal-
communication-skills