Freelancing Sample

Improving your nonverbal communication skills

Understanding messages often involves more than merely listening to spoken words. Nonverbal clues, facial expression, body movement space, time, distance and appearance. All this nonverbal clues affect how a message is interpreted, decoded, by the receiver.

Just what is nonverbal communication? It includes all unwritten and unspoken messages, whether intended or not. These silent signals have strong effect on receivers. But understanding them is not simple. Does a downward glance in dictate modesty? Fatigue? Does a constant stare reflect coldness? Dullness? Do crossed arms mean defensiveness? Withdrawal? Or do crossed arms just mean that a person is shivering?

Messages are even harder to decipher when the verbal and nonverbal codes do not agree. What would you think if Scott says he’s not agreeing, but he slams the door when he leaves? What if Alicia assures the hostess that the meal is excellent, but she eats very little? The nonverbal messages in these situations speak more loudly then the words. When a verbal and nonverbal message conflict, research shows that receives put more faith in nonverbal cues. In one study speakers sent a positive message but averted their eyes as they spoke. Listeners perceived the total message to be negative. Moreover, they thought that averted eyes suggested lack of affection, superficiality lack of trust, and no receptivity.4

Successful communication recognize the power of nonverbal messages.AL- though it’s unwise to attach specific meanings to gestures or actions, some cues broadcast by body language are helpful in understanding the feelings and attitudes of senders.