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View Templates SummaryNonverbal communication is everything other than spoken words. This can include your body language, facial expressions, vocal inflections, and more. There are nine types of nonverbal communication, and understanding them helps you encode and decode nonverbal signals more effectively. In this article, we take a look at the nine nonverbal cues, plus get 10 tips on how you can improve your nonverbal communication in the workplace. A lot of times, when we say nonverbal communication, we think of body language. And it’s true that body language is an important part of nonverbal communication. It’s arguably the most visible part, and it’s one of the easiest to learn to manage. Body language, however, is only one type of nonverbal communication. There are in fact nine types nonverbal cues you communicate with every day—and only paying attention to body movements restricts your understanding of nonverbal messages. In this article, we’ll dive into all nine nonverbal signals, and take a look at how you can improve your nonverbal communication in the workplace. First thing’s first: How culture impacts nonverbal communicationBefore we get into the nine types of nonverbal communication and how you can improve your nonverbal skills, it’s critical to mention that these signals aren’t the same in every culture. Something standard or even expected in one culture may be off-putting or offensive in another. In today’s distributed world, we have the privilege of working with more and more global colleagues. Even colleagues who grew up in a different part of the country or are from a different culture may have different nonverbal communication signals. For example, in Western cultures, you’re often expected to shake hands when you meet new business partners. But that isn’t the case for every culture. The same action might have different meanings depending on which culture someone is from. So before going into a situation, familiarize yourself with what’s acceptable and appropriate—and what isn’t. In particular, pay attention to any culture-specific nonverbal cues that you should expect or avoid when speaking with coworkers. Understanding and being mindful of your nonverbal communication makes you a better communicator and a better team member—and a big part of that is understanding the cultural impact of different nonverbal cues. As you develop your nonverbal communication skills, make sure you’re also devoting an equal amount of time to developing your cultural intelligence. The 9 forms of nonverbal communicationNonverbal communication helps you effectively communicate and connect with others. When you understand the different types of nonverbal cues, you can tailor your message to avoid miscommunication. Understanding the nonverbal signals your team members are sending can help you identify if a coworker is uncomfortable or ill at ease. In general, improving your nonverbal communication skills can make you more confident, more aware of your body, and more effective at conveying what you want to convey. The nine types of nonverbal communication are:
10 tips to improve nonverbal communication in the workplaceThere are two elements of unconscious communication that impact your workplace experience: encoding and decoding. Encoding refers to how you display nonverbal cues. These can be purposeful or unconscious signals—like emotional expressions you might not intend to display or body posture you aren’t thinking about. Decoding, on the other hand, is the process of interpreting someone else’s nonverbal messages. This helps you become a better communicator and pick up on nonverbal cues your coworkers drop. It’s also important to remember that nonverbal communication in the workplace—in particular decoding different messages—varies from culture to culture. These 10 tips help you build a framework for encoding and decoding behaviors, but every team situation is slightly different. Encoding your own nonverbal behaviorOftentimes, encoding your nonverbal cues seems like a huge hurdle to overcome—but you actually do this all the time. It’s true that some of our encoded nonverbal behaviors are accidental, but many gestures and movements are purposefully encoded. Think of head nods, rolling your eyes, or even tapping your foot if you’re impatient. To practice encoding your nonverbal behavior more purposefully, try these five tips:
Decoding nonverbal cuesThe second part of nonverbal communication is decoding other people’s nonverbal signals. Accurately decoding your team members’ nonverbal cues can help prevent miscommunication and increase your rapport. To improve your ability to decode others’ nonverbal signals, practice the following:
Better nonverbal communication = better workplace communicationNonverbal communication is a skill you can use in everyday life, as well as in the workplace. Once you develop these skills, you’ll notice you’re increasingly aware not only of everyone else’s nonverbal cues, but of your own signals. Being aware of your nonverbal cues can help you communicate more effectively in the workplace. To learn more, read our article on how effective workplace communication increases collaboration and boosts leadership. Related resourcesIn what ways can you improve your nonverbal communication skills?During your next face-to-face conversation about mental health, keep these tips in mind:. Pay close attention to what the person says. ... . Maintain comfortable eye contact. ... . Maintain an open body position. ... . Sit down, even if the person is standing. ... . Sit alongside and angled toward the person rather than directly opposite them.. What tip should you follow to improve your nonverbal non speaking communication skills?7 Tips to Improve Your Nonverbal Communication Skills. Stand tall and take up space. Appear more confident by keeping your posture erect and your shoulders back. ... . Widen your stance. ... . Maintain positive eye contact. ... . Talk with your hands. ... . Perfect your handshake. ... . Reduce nervous gestures. ... . Smile.. Which of the following can improve your verbal communication skills?7 Tips to Improve Verbal Communication Skills. Think before you speak. ... . Be clear and concise. ... . Speak with confidence. ... . Vary your vocal tone. ... . Be an active listener. ... . Be aware of non-verbal communication cues. ... . Think about the perspective of your audience.. What are the 5 nonTypes of nonverbal communication. Facial expressions. The human face is extremely expressive, able to convey countless emotions without saying a word. ... . Body movement and posture. ... . Gestures. ... . Eye contact. ... . Touch. ... . Space. ... . Voice. ... . Pay attention to inconsistencies.. |