When we think of communication skills, most of us just think about written and verbal skills. For verbal communication, there is more than just talking and active listening. There is a third componentânon-verbal communication skills. These are the ways you convey your message excluding words. What does that mean? Non-verbal communication includes things such as facial expressions, hand gestures, posture, and even how youâre dressed.
Non-verbal communication skills can provide clarity and depth to the message or allow one to better express a specific feeling (such as happiness, empathy, or concern). This is important and can help you make your message more compelling or persuasive, which in turn can make you more credible and trustworthy. This applies to âreadingâ your audience too.
If youâre a salesperson, understanding the body language of your client can help you tailor the conversation and approach toward your desired outcome. Or if you are talking with someone with a different culture, make sure youâre culturally sensitive. There may be non-verbal cues such as handshakes, bowing, or eye contact that may be inappropriate and possibly disrespectful. You donât want to inadvertently make a social blunder or faux pas.
How Important Are Your Non-Verbal Communication Skills?
And how important are non-verbal communication skills? Did you know that non-verbal communication accounts for ~93% of a conversation? Yes, that means only ~7% of the communication is the actual words.
How effective is your ~93% of the conversation? Do you feel that people frequently misinterpret or misunderstand you, or seem confused? Or do they struggle relating to your non-verbal cues? And if your conversation is virtual (such as a large Zoom meeting) then youâll need to pay extra attention to the non-verbal cues. For example, are some people constantly looking away, having their arms crossed, or fidgeting in their seats?
Improving Your Non-Verbal Communication Skills
If you have a big presentation or job interview coming up, you want to ensure you convey confidence and professionalism. After all, Will Rogers said, âYou never get a second chance to make a first impression.â
Improving your non-verbal communication skills can enhance your ability to convey messages effectively. It starts with self-awareness, and intentionally doing things such as the following:
Display appropriate facial expressions â Use your face to express happiness, empathy, or concern.
Tone and pitch of your voice â Be aware of the cadence of your speech and have a steady tone but not monotone.
Practice active listening â You can show that you are engaged and listening by nodding and maintaining eye contact.
Record yourself speaking â Practice and make recordings to see and hear yourself. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will become.
Be aware of cultural differences â Adjust your non-verbal gestures to be culturally sensitive when communicating with someone with a different culture. For example, the "OK" gesture (made by forming a circle with the thumb and forefinger) is widely recognized as positive in many Western cultures but may have an offensive connotation in other cultures.
Having strong non-verbal communication skills is important in both your personal and work life. Whether you are interviewing for a role, meeting with a new client, or collaborating with Marketing on a new service, itâs critical to be able to express and exchange information. Remember that non-verbal communication accounts for ~93% of a conversation.
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If you are going to an interview, there are many things you will want to consider. Many people think that knowing how to accurately answer the questions is the only thing that needs to be practiced. In reality, you also need to master your nonverbal communication to demonstrate your best attributes to the interviewer.
There are a few things you will need to think about. Your nonverbal communication is one of the most important aspects of an interview. This includes factors such as your gestures, body language, facial expressions, and more. These communication signals are important because they send a multitude of messages to the interviewer. Many times, nonverbal communication is subconscious, but it is still something that people will notice. Just as you will control what you verbally say, you will want to control what you communicate nonverbally, too.
It is a good idea to have your verbal match your nonverbal communication. This means if you say you are confident that you can give the business what it needs because you have years of experience, you do not want to come off as timid, shy, and unsure of yourself. Instead, you want to exude confidence.
Here are a few interview tips for nonverbal communication in an interview:
Get Plenty Of Practice
One of the best things you can do is to practice your interview ahead of time. You can do this by yourself, though you will want to have a mirror or video recording so you can evaluate your communication signals, or with a friend via a mock interview. When practicing for a job interview, you should think about the things you appear to be saying nonverbally and think about how you can change them to give the impression you are looking for.
Be Mindful During Your Interview
You should be aware of how you are communicating during the interview, but be sure not to overthink and become distracted from the interview questions. For example, if you want to demonstrate your confidence, then you need to think about having excellent posture, keeping eye contact with your interviewer, and making sure to keep a calm demeanor.
Be Aware Of Your Hands
A big issue many people face when they are in an interview is that they do not know what to do with their hands. Individuals should avoid fidgeting and touching their hair and face because the interviewer can read these communication signals negatively. These nervous movements and fidgets may be a sign of anything from uncertainty in your qualifications to lying about something.
It is also important to give the interviewer an open body position without crossing your arms, which shows that you are comfortable and open to discussion. By crossing your arms, you are sending the message that you are closed off, which makes an interviewer think you may have something to hide or feel negatively about the interview. You can keep your arms at your side or on your lap. Using your hands when you explain something is fine as well, and it is seen as a very open gesture to show your palms to the other individual while explaining.
Pay Attention To The Interviewer's Nonverbal Communication
While thinking about the right thing to say both verbally and nonverbally, you need to think about the message you are getting from the interviewer. For instance, if you see them lean back or look uncomfortable, you may be in their personal space. If the interviewer seems impatient or uncomfortable, you may want to try to explain yourself better or offer shorter and more concise answers.
There are many different aspects to think about with nonverbal communication and what it means in the business world. If you are finding that you are not having the success you want with an interview, you may find it helpful to take a class on nonverbal communication so you can achieve the results you are looking for.
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This article was originally published at an earlier date.