There are many ways to communicate and communicating is the key to making any type of relationship successful, whether it’s a romantic relationship, a professional one, or even a relationship among family members.
Nonverbal communication is a form of communication that many people often underestimate, but it is an effective and frequently used way to communicate even when people don’t realize they’re communicating nonverbally.
What are the different types of nonverbal communication?
There are several different types of nonverbal communication, from gestures to facial expressions and even eye contact, among others.
Again, people don’t always realize that they’re communicating nonverbally, but others around you are always noticing gestures, facial expressions, and other forms of nonverbal communication.
Nonverbal communication can convey a great number of messages to another person, which is why it’s not always necessary to communicate verbally in order for another person to understand what the other person is attempting to say.
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Body language and how it can make another person angry
Body language is a very popular way that people express themselves nonverbally, even without realizing that they’re communicating to others how they feel.
If a person is showing that they don’t care to hear what is being said to them by a parent, supervisor, or a police officer, by shrugging their shoulders, then this could be interpreted as a form of disrespect, causing the person of authority to become angry.
Even if the person is verbally agreeing with what the person of authority is saying to them but continues to shrug their shoulders, then what they’re communicating through their body language is going to supersede what is said verbally.
This will happen in as many as 93% of cases.
Why is it important to be aware of your nonverbal communication at all times?
Everyone has bad days from time to time, and a person could demonstrate this through their facial expressions and body language.
However, these forms of nonverbal communication could become misconstrued by another person, which could lead to an argument.
For instance, if this person who has had a bad day goes home and has an angry facial expression and is using angry gestures, his wife might believe that he’s angry with her when that isn’t the case.
What is another reason why being aware of your body language is important?
If you’re displaying body language that isn’t congruent with what you’re saying verbally, then this could be very confusing.
The person with whom you’re communicating might wonder why you’re saying one thing, but your body language is showing the complete opposite.
For instance, if you’re telling your boyfriend how much you love him, but your facial expression is consistent with disgust, he isn’t going to believe that you really love him.
How to convey the intended message through nonverbal communication
Since expressing ourselves nonverbally is something that we automatically do on a regular basis, it’s easy to convey the wrong message to another person by not being mindful of how you’re communicating nonverbally.
First of all, you need to be sure that you’re making adequate eye contact with the other person.
If you’re not making eye contact, then the other person will believe that you’re nervous for some reason, which can make him or her nervous and anxious as well.
Is posture a way to communicate nonverbally?
Posture is another popular way that people communicate nonverbally. Many people may wonder why others around them are avoiding them, but they may be inadvertently communicating that they don’t want to be approached.
Let’s look at an example.
A person who has their hands at their sides and appears to be standing comfortably and confidently, or a person who has their arms crossed on their chest and seems to have a “chip on their shoulder” – which person would appear more open to being approached?
Why you may need to work on your posture in the workplace
If you sit for some or all of the time you’re at work, then you’re aware of how important posture is.
What you may not have realized is that sitting up straight in your seat, with your back erect, shows your boss and co-workers that you’re enthusiastic and motivated about your job.
However, if you’re always slouching in your seat, it can convey that your job is a chore and that you’re not happy to be there, even if you’re simply fatigued or having a bad day.
Ways to improve your nonverbal communication
Before you can begin working on improving the way you communicate with others nonverbally, you need to first identify your specific style of communicating nonverbally.
Do you use gestures a lot or refrain from making eye contact when making eye contact is crucial?
Pay attention the next time you’re at work or in another environment with others, and only then can you begin making improvements.
The benefits of communication classes in the workplace
There are many benefits to employers offering communication classes in the workplace, especially if employees have experienced difficulty effectively communicating.
By taking a communication class, employees can learn their own communication style, as well as how to make improvements.
Another benefit of communication classes in the workplace is that the employees will have the opportunity to actually practice communicating with others in the class, which can help them to realize just how important nonverbal communication is.
Are communication classes really effective?
Many workplaces offer various training in order to improve productivity and more at work, and classes on communicating are quite popular.
Communication classes have the potential to be a very effective way to help employees communicate more effectively, both verbally and non-verbally.
However, if you attend the class with the wrong attitude and you don’t pay attention or put forth the necessary effort, then the class will not be effective.
Is touch really a way to communicate nonverbally?
Touch is a very common way to communicate nonverbally, and handshakes, hugs, and even a pat on the back are all forms of nonverbal communication.
While these are all positive examples of nonverbal communication through touch, there are ways to communicate negatively by touch.
Has anyone ever grabbed your arm in a firm manner while giving you a not-so-nice look?
This isn’t a fun scenario, and depending on the specific circumstances, the person being grabbed could even file a complaint with human resources if this were to happen in a workplace, as it could be interpreted as a form of assault in extreme cases.
Another way that touch could be used to nonverbally communicate with another person is by grabbing a co-worker’s rear end, or by touching her breast without her consent.
This would be another situation that could be reported to human resources, as it is a form of sexual harassment.
Is space a way that people communicate nonverbally?
Space is a very important way that people communicate nonverbally.
For instance, a person might feel afraid of another person, and as a result, that person might stand very far away while trying to conduct a conversation with the person they’re afraid of.
On the other hand, another person could be angry and might invade someone’s personal space by standing practically nose-to-nose while yelling.
Both of these scenarios are examples of how space is a common way that people communicate nonverbally.
Space doesn’t have to always be a negative way to communicate nonverbally, as a toddler might “cling” to its mother because he or she needs to feel that comfort from their mother always being around.
Why tone of voice is just as important as what a person is saying
The way you say something is just as important as what you say.
For instance, if a co-worker approaches you and says something to you in a happy, normal tone, then you are likely to take what the co-worker said in a positive manner.
However, if the person makes the same, exact statement but does so with an attitude, then you’re likely to be confused and maybe even offended.
You should always ensure that your tone of voice and what you’re saying are congruent because if you’re trying to get a stalker to leave you alone, don’t calmly tell him to leave you alone while using a happy tone in your voice.
If you really want the stalker to leave you alone, yell at him and demand that he leaves you alone, while using appropriate and fitting facial expressions and body language simultaneously.
The stalker should get the message then.
There are many different types of nonverbal communication that the average person isn’t even aware of.
It’s just as important to have positive and effective nonverbal communication skills as it is to have good verbal communication skills, and if you are aware that you need to make improvements, then there are many ways to do so.
You could opt to take a communications class, read some books on communication, or even watch training videos online.
