You may find yourself communicating with coworkers throughout the day without saying anything. Consider how your body language, facial expressions, posture, and eye contact can help to facilitate your business conversations.
Nonverbal communication affects all interactions, whether you’re giving a presentation at a meeting, chatting with coworkers in the hallway, or talking to your employer in his or her office. In social situations such as lunches, office parties, and after-work events, nonverbal communication is equally important.
In fact, nonverbal communication accounts for 93 percent of all communication, whereas verbal communication accounts for only 7.6 percent. The tone of speech accounts for 38% of communication, while body language and facial emotions account for 55%.
Types of effective nonverbal communication at work
At their most basic level, effective verbal communication skills enable employers to disseminate knowledge across the organization and strengthen relationships with their coworkers. On the other hand, the ability to communicate without using words may have an impact on how well employees perform.
In order to have successful interactions at work, managers and their teams must be able to read and use body language.
In the workplace, there are various nonverbal cues that show confidence:
● Eye contact is your primary tool for developing nonverbal interactions with others because it expresses interest, participation, and emotions.Those who speak while maintaining eye contact are frequently regarded as trustworthy.
● Maintaining good eye contact while listening can be demonstrated through a small grin, frequent nodding, and suitable facial gestures.
● A firm handshake: Because the handshake is the only acceptable form of touch in business, it is critical to have a strong one.
● Hand gestures with a purpose: Hand gestures provide significance to the spoken word. Distracting habits to avoid include finger pointing, fidgeting, tapping, playing with hair, wringing hands, and twisting a ring.
● This is visible in how one sits and stands, since it provides a dynamic presence and a leadership mentality. Employees’ sitting posture communicates messages, whether they slouch back in their chair or sit upright on the edge of their seat. If you’re standing, make sure you’re tall and straight to portray confidence, authority, and excitement.
Pacing out workplace conversations
The capacity to communicate effectively pervades all aspects of corporate operations, but there are instances when employers and employees fail to communicate effectively. Nonverbal communication training should be provided to leaders in order to close this gap, which could be a barrier to productive dialogue.
Another facet of nonverbal communication, especially in a multicultural workforce, is the speed of a conversation. In a professional situation, here’s how managers might cross the nonverbal communication gap:
- Be patient with people who require extended periods of silence.
- Consider how your nonverbal communication during meetings is represented by your body language, tone of voice, and dress choices.
- Consider how your attitude and approach to your job tasks or coworkers affects your capacity to collaborate with others.
- If someone appears to be dominating the conversation, refrain from passing judgment.
- Pay attention to other people’s communication styles.
Employees should also be taught nonverbal communication techniques for face-to-face interactions, phone discussions, and even email correspondence.