Non-Verbal Communication and Getting the Point Across

Non-Verbal Communication and Getting the Point Across

When you are trying to tell someone that they did a good job, do you just say, "good job" and leave it at that? Chances are, you will also smile, clap them on the back, or give them a hug. Non-verbal communication is used to express emotions and interpersonal attitudes and also to provide cues that will let the person that you are communicating with in on how you feel and what is going on. When people think about communication, they might think about phones and emails first, but remember that non-verbal communication goes a long way as well!

When you are thinking of non-verbal communication, remember that it is not always conscious. For instance, how would you feel if you were afraid of spiders and suddenly saw one scuttling across the floor? What you might want to convey is something along the lines of, "I can see a spider and it is making me feel very nervous. I am very startled and would love to put as much space between myself and the spider as possible." Instead of saying that, accurate as it might be, you'll probably yelp and take a big jump back. To another observer, these actions would speak as loudly or even more loudly than simply saying those words.

When you are thinking of non-verbal communication, think about how you are saying the words that are coming out. Even very simply sentences can become loaded down with meaning, so make sure that people are hearing what you are saying and getting the right impression. If you say, "I'd love to," you can be saying it sincerely, nervously or sarcastically, and changes in tone, facial expression and volume can all tell the listener a lot more than simply reading the words on the page.

You'll also find that you will be using non-verbal communication to regulate the way that a verbal communication is going. For instance, if you want to talk to someone or you want to interrupt, you might put in a verbal interjection or you might simple touch them on the arm. You'll find that you might put a hand, palm facing out, towards someone if you want them to stop, or you might make a waving gesture with your hand to request that they continue. These gestures can vary highly depending on what country or culture you are operating in.

Another fascinating type of non-verbal communication is generally termed object communication, and this is the communication that you express through the things that you carry and what you are wearing. For example, say that your school colors are white and red. If you wear those colors to a school football game, it means that you are showing support for your school. On the other hand, if you are wearing those colors and going to your school's biggest rival, you are saying something a bit different! You can communicate in a number of different ways, so make sure that you are invested in sending the right message.

When you are thinking about non-verbal communication, you'll find that you are saying a lot without being aware of it. If you are aware of it, however, you'll find that there are a number of different things that you can convey and that people will be more apt to know where you are coming from!