If you have read earlier articles you would have seen that Sivaranjan is a seasoned professional in a big corporation and he is steering his nephew, Vaibhav, on his journey from campus to corporate.
Vaibhav, here unto we have discussed professionalism on a prominent spectrum, and communication en masse. It’s time to understand the concepts in small fragments, said Sivaranjan. Do you have any questions or should we take off with the next topic to perk up your interest? Yes, uncle, I am fervid to move ahead.
Do you know Vaibhav that we as humans pay more than 90% of our attention to body language and tone of voice than we do to actual words? Words, body language, and tone of voice account for 7%, 55%, and 38% of effective communication, respectively, according to a 1981 study by body language expert Albert Mehrabian.
This study demonstrates how nonverbal communication is imbibed in the brain and discusses the significance of body language in communication. With only 7% of our attention focused on verbal communication, it’s critical to communicate effectively through gestures, facial expressions, and other nonverbal cues.
Woah, uncle, this seems like an unbeknown territory to me, I would really love to unearth the secrets and reap their benefits in the long run, exclaimed Vaibhav.
Wonderful Vaibhav, I appreciate the enthusiasm, said Sivaranjan. Let’s dig for the underlying gold and get a step closer to understanding and communicating with people even more effectively.
What is Body Language?
Body language is the language of the subconscious and it brings out our true feelings and makes our message more impactful. While good communication skills are essential for success in both professional and personal lives, it is your nonverbal cues or “body language” that speak the loudest. Body language is the use of nonverbal communication through physical behavior, expressions, and mannerisms, which is often done instinctively rather than consciously.
When you interact with others, whether you realize it or not, you are constantly sending and receiving nonverbal signals. All of your nonverbal behaviors—your gestures, posture, tone of voice, and amount of eye contact—send strong messages. They can either put people at ease, build trust, and attract others to you, or they can offend, confuse, and undermine what you’re trying to say.
In some cases, what you say and what you communicate through your body language may be diametrically opposed. If you say one thing but your body language says another, your listener will likely suspect you of lying. For example, if you say “yes” while shaking your head no. When confronted with such conflicting signals, the listener must decide whether to believe your verbal or nonverbal message. They will most likely choose the nonverbal message because body language is a natural, unconscious language that broadcasts your true feelings and intentions.
Do you see the top hand of body language and how it impacts your conversations Vaibhav? It might seem intimidating or overwhelming at the moment. However, once you unleash its power, you can connect better with others, and crank up your relationships with others by expressing yourself better.
Yes, uncle, now that I look back at my last interview, there were so many things I would have taken care of, nonetheless, I am here, learning it from the oracle in his profession.
Thank you for the staggering remark, Vaibhav. Shall we continue? Vaibhav nodded in congruence.
The Different Types of Body Language
When you consciously pay attention to the body language of others, it means that you get reactions or unspoken emotions. However, you have to be utterly vigilant to look out for the signs as they are a valuable form of feedback. Vaibhav, let’s take a deep dive into the most important non-verbal or body language cues.
Posture and movement of the body
Consider how you perceive people based on how they sit, walk, stand, or hold their heads. The way you move and carry yourself conveys a wealth of information to the rest of the world. Your posture, bearing, stance, and subtle movements all contribute to nonverbal communication.
Eye contact
Make direct eye contact because most people’s dominant sense is vision, and eye contact is an especially important form of nonverbal communication. The way you look at someone can convey a variety of emotions, such as interest, affection, hostility, or attraction. Maintaining eye contact is also important for keeping the conversation flowing and gauging the other person’s interest and response.
Facial expressions
The human face is extremely expressive and capable of conveying a wide range of emotions without saying a single word. Facial expressions, unlike some other forms of nonverbal communication, are universal. Face expressions of happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, fear, and disgust are universal.
Gestures
Gesticulations are intertwined with our daily lives. When arguing or speaking animatedly, you may wave, point, beckon, or use your hands, often expressing yourself with gestures without thinking. However, the meaning of some gestures varies greatly across cultures. While the hand sign “OK” conveys a positive message in English-speaking countries, it is considered offensive in countries such as Germany, Russia, and Brazil. As a matter of fact, it is critical to be careful with the use of gestures.
Voice
It is not only what you say, but also how you say it. People “read” your voice in addition to listening to your words when you speak. Your timing and pace, how loud you speak, your tone and inflection, and sounds that convey understanding, such as “ahh” and “uh-huh,” are all things they pay attention to. Consider how your tone of voice can convey sarcasm, anger, affection, or confidence.
Space
Have you ever felt awkward during a conversation because the other person was standing too close to you and invading your personal space? We all require physical space, though the amount varies depending on culture, situation, and the closeness of the relationship. Physical space can be used to convey a variety of nonverbal messages like dominance or aggression and affection or intimacy.
Haptics or touch
We communicate a lot through touch. Consider the various messages conveyed by a weak handshake, a warm bear hug, a patronizing pat on the head, or a controlling grip on the arm.
You see Vaibhav, people may come from a different cultural background than you, and positive gestures in one country may be considered negative in another. So, think about how you use body language and avoid making assumptions. If you’re getting conflicting signals from someone, find out what they’re thinking. After all, interpreting body language should be a supplement to talking and attentive listening, not a substitute for it.
Vaibhav gave a nod while sinking in all the information.
Now that you know these are the paramount factors to take care of, we will explore ways to improve them, Vaibhav, said Sivaranjan.
How to Enhance Your Body Language?
Nonverbal communication is a fast-paced back-and-forth process that requires your complete attention to the present moment. If you’re thinking about what you’re going to say next, checking your phone, or doing something else, you’re almost certain to miss nonverbal cues and not fully comprehend what’s being communicated. In addition to being fully present, you can improve your nonverbal communication skills by learning to manage stress and increase your emotional awareness.
Develop emotional awareness
Being emotionally aware allows you to do the following:
- Read other people accurately, including the emotions they’re feeling and the unspoken messages they’re sending.
- Create trust in relationships by sending nonverbal cues that correspond to your words.
- Respond in ways that demonstrate to others that you comprehend and care.
Many of us are disconnected from our emotions, particularly strong emotions like anger, sadness, and fear, because we’ve been taught to suppress these emotions. You can deny or numb your feelings, but you can’t get rid of them. They are still present and continue to influence your behavior. However, by increasing your emotional awareness and connecting with even the most unpleasant emotions, you will gain more control over how you think and act.
Learn to steer your stress
Stress can leave you awestruck, and it will compromise your ability to communicate effectively. You may end up being misread by people for sending confusing or off-putting nonverbal cues. Take a break if you’re feeling overwhelmed by stress. Take a moment to relax before rejoining the conversation. You’ll feel better equipped to deal with the situation once you’ve regained your emotional equilibrium.
Using your senses—what you see, hear, smell, taste, and touch—or a soothing movement is the quickest and most reliable way to calm yourself and manage stress at the moment. You may need to experiment to find the sensory experience that works best for you because everyone responds differently.
Vaibhav, in our early professional life, we often trip over stress and lose our grip on body language. Once you diligently practice and work on improving these factors, you will conquer any interview and will reign in any workplace, said Sivaranjan assertively. Body language is an important tool for communicating with those around you. It is important not only in everyday communication but also for the interpreter. Knowing how to read and use body language effectively explains why being at a loss for words isn’t always a bad thing!
I am glad, privileged, and humbled to get these treasures of insights from you uncle. I am sensing confidence in myself, and these enlightening conversations have certainly amped me up for my corporate journey, said Vaibhav acquiescently.
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships-communication/nonverbal-communication.htm
https://harappa.education/harappa-diaries/body-language-in-communication/
https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/Body_Language.htm
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Written By: Jimmy Jain
Edited By: Afreen Fatima
Society of Design Thinking Professionals
