Nonverbal Communication
Non-verbal communication
Just like verbal communication, non verbal communication carries a meaningful message. One’s verbal and non-verbal communication has to be in harmony, because it is important to express with gestures the things, which we are saying using verbal communication.
The most important non-verbal communication behavioral elements are eye contact (oulesics), facial expression, posture, body gestures (kinesics), touch (haptics), tempo and time factors (chronemics), physical appearance etc. Non-verbal communication provides help to clarify the meaning of a message. Non-verbal communication has a big role in the communication process. Knowing other culture’s non-verbal communication rules, will aid in improvement of communication across cultures. Using non-verbal communication elements, for example gestures, can definitely help to maintain the attention of the listener.
We have to know how to read body language. John Mole draw attention to the importance of reading body language in business contexts. There are two basic groups of body language in business Open/Closed and Forward/Back. His model creates four basic modes: The open/forward is the responsive mode, the person is actively accepting in this one. The open/back is the reflective mode, people are interested and receptive, but not actively accepting. The closed/back is the fugitive mode, people are trying to escape physically and mentally, too. The closed/forward is the combative mode and means active resistance.
Non-verbal signals don’t have just one meaning, they can have several ones. For example, crossed arms can indicate resistance, defensiveness but simply a comfortable position, too. A handshake can tell very much from one person, the handshake provides clues to a person’s personality. Aggressive people have firm handshakes while a limp handshake characterize a person with low self esteem. It is very important to control yourself.
In conclusion, non-verbal communication should...
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