Non-verbal Communication: Why It Matters and How to Do it Well

Ninety percent of communication occurs in non-verbal mode, whereas words account for just 5 percent. The tongue of Voice constitutes 38 percent of communication body language and expressions form 55 percent. Nonverbal communication is crucial in effective communication, especially in social spaces like lunch events, office parties, and after-work activities. Describe how your expression, facial gestures, and eye contact may be enhanced and reinforced by your body language.

Nonverbal Communication Definition

Nonverbal means not using spoken words (as opposed to a verbal message), communicating by sending messages without speaking – through body language, gestures, or actions. It’s crucial for an entire communication process.

What is nonverbal communication?

Nonverbal communication is a transfer of information through body language composed of facial expressions, gestures, and eye contact—for example, a smile when you greet someone signals friendliness. Nonverbal communication plays a vital role in everyday life.

Nonverbal communication relies on observing physical movements instead of verbal cues, such as when speaking. However, the use of nonverbal communication cues is a valuable skill in all areas of life.

What is an example of nonverbal communication:

Non-verbal communication can be seen as an example when someone doesn’t say anything, but their body language communicates anger or disappointment. An example would be the person who crosses his arms, slouches, and looks at the floor.

Why does nonverbal communication matter?

Non-verbal communication skills are essential to everyday life. They help us get a sense of another person’s mood and feelings without verbally questioning them about it. Nonverbals can be seen as either positive or negative, but both contribute to the overall picture of someone’s personality. For example, if someone is smiling and laughing, we might automatically assume they are happy.

You should also listen to the speech of Joe Navarro about “The Power of Nonverbal Communication”. This will help you get a better understanding of why nonverbal communication matters.

How to do nonverbal communication well?

Non-verbals play a massive role in our social life because humans communicate the majority of information through body language to their environment or other people without speaking verbally. So how do you make sure your non-verbals match what you are saying? First, use your body to reinforce what you’re talking about. For example, if you want someone to understand that you think they have a good idea, nod your head and smile while speaking.

Nonverbal communication is an indispensable part of everyday life as it helps us get a sense of another person’s mood without having to question it verbally. Nonverbal cues are essential to everyday life and work in tandem with verbal communication, providing a complete picture of someone’s personality.

The tongue of Voice accounts for 38 percent, while nonverbal body language makes up 55 percent of our total communication volume. There are many ways you can improve how well your non-verbals match what you’re saying, including using your body to reinforce what you’re talking about and paying attention to facial expressions.

Benefits of effective nonverbal communication

Effective nonverbal communication is about making sure your body language reinforces what you’re saying. For example, when people hear the podcast producer, they know that he likes his topic because he’s enthusiastic and expressive in his Voice. He also uses pauses to highlight critical points, which add emotional impact.

In many cases, in social spaces like lunch events or office parties, nonverbal communication can be more important than verbal. Non-verbals play a massive role in everyday life because humans communicate the majority of information through body language to their environment or other people without speaking verbally, so your non-verbals must match what you’re saying.

Benefits:

*Nonverbal communication is a part of everyday life as it helps us get a sense of another person’s mood without having to question them verbally. Nonverbal cues are essential to everyday life and work in tandem with verbal communication, providing a complete picture of someone’s personality.

*Effective nonverbal communication is about making sure your body language reinforces what you’re saying. For example, when people hear the podcast producer, they know that he likes his topic because he’s enthusiastic and expressive in his Voice. He also uses pauses to highlight critical points, which add emotional impact.

*In many cases, social spaces like lunch events or office parties, nonverbal communication can be more important than verbal. Nonverbals play a massive role in everyday life because humans communicate the majority of information through body language to their environment or other people without speaking verbally, so your non-verbals must match what you’re saying.

*Nonverbal communication is an essential part of everyday life as it helps us get a sense of another person’s mood without having to question them verbally. Nonverbal cues are essential to everyday life and work in tandem with verbal communication, providing a complete picture of someone’s personality.

How to read body language

People’s faces can tell you how they feel. Sometimes their face does not look like what they are saying. It is essential to know how eye movements, hand gestures, and other signals relate to emotions to understand people better.

Eye contact.

Eye contact is one form of nonverbal communication that can show interest or disinterest in a conversation. For example, if someone looks you in the eye for about 10 seconds at a time, they are probably interested in talking to you.

Recognize good posture.

Many of the messages that people communicate are not verbal. For example, when someone sits or stands in a confident, erect posture with their arms and legs uncrossed, it typically means they want to speak with you.

Notice firm handshakes.

The way someone shakes your hand reflects their personality. When someone keeps a firm grip and has more or less the right amount of pressure, it can indicate poise and confidence, while too soft or too firm a handshake can convey nervousness and defensive posturing, respectively.

Notice furrowed brows.

Along with vocal communication, body language is also a crucial part of how one communicates. This microexpression, recognized by wrinkles in the forehead and eyebrows moving closer together, is shown when someone experiences momentarily negative feelings such as confusion or unease.

Keep an eye out for fidgeting.

If someone is making many small, nervous hand movements or playing with their clothing, this likely means they are uninterested in what they are hearing.

What are the six different types of nonverbal communication?

There are several categories of non verbal communication:

Facial expressions.

A person’s face is very expressive, and you can see his or he emotions without even speaking. Facial expressions are the same in any culture.

Eye contact. 

Eye contact is an excellent example of nonverbal communication and how it can be the key to understanding someone’s thoughts. Of course, the most striking thing that eye contact can do is show affection. However, eye contact also tells whether or not someone is interested in what they are listening to, as well as gauging if you’re on your way successfully.

Body movement and posture.

Whether you realize it or not, your the way you carry yourself and posture can speak volumes. The majority of us quickly judge a person based on their persona before they’ve said a word. Think about how someone appears when they walk into a room?

Do you think that someone waltzing in with slumped shoulders might be nervous or unsure? Or do you believe that someone with a confident stride and lithe walk might be more self-assured?

Gestures.

Gestures are an essential part of how we communicate.

Communicating without words can sometimes be hard to understand, especially when you want to convey a different meaning in a foreign country. For example, things like the OK sign made with your hand (which usually expresses “all is well” or “it’s OK”) mean something offensive in some places where it symbolizes “zero.”

Touch.

A touch is a basic form of non-verbal communication. It can be used to communicate anything from anger to reassurance or intimacy. For example, think about how a warm bear hug can comfort someone following trauma and how a backhanded pat on the head can feel disapproving and dismissive.

The tone of Voice. 

It’s not just how you say it but how you communicate for the ultimate impact. When we speak, people “read” our tone of Voice in addition to listening to our words. Pay attention to timing and pace, tone and inflection, sounds that convey understanding, such as an “ahh” sound or an “uh-huh.” It

Posts that might help you more in improving communication skills!

• The Best Ways to Improve Your Written Communication Skills
• 10 Tips How to Develop Interpersonal Skills
• 4 Types of Communication – All You Need to Know
• How can you use verbal communication effectively?

Conclusion

We hope you have learned a lot about non-verbal communication and how it can influence your interactions with others. If you want to learn more, we recommend reading our blog post on body language or watching the TED talk by Amy Cuddy, an expert in this field. Her research demonstrates that “power posing” for just two minutes before going into important meetings or speeches has been shown to increase testosterone levels (which helps people be confident) and decrease cortisol levels (which reduces stress). You might also try using some of these behaviours yourself, so they become natural when interacting with others. It should make conversations feel less awkward!