Techniques for Improving Your Nonverbal Communication Skills in the Workplace
Nonverbal communication is important in the workplace because it affects the work environment. In several respects, we can communicate as much, if not more, nonverbally than we do with our spoken words. What you communicate nonverbally can expose how you feel. If your nonverbal communications skills are poor, you may be communicating negativity and making your coworkers uncomfortable or undermining your message with cues about lacking confidence. To improve your nonverbal skills, you must first identify the areas where you are lacking.
Maintain Eye Contact
Establish eye contact when speaking to others. When you make direct eye contact, it shows the other party that you’re interested in what he is saying. If you must give a presentation at work, establish eye contact with the audience. It tells them that you are confident in what you are presenting.
Making direct eye contact provides others with the comfort needed to communicate with you in return. Be mindful, though, not to turn your attempts at eye contact into an unrelenting stare; moderation is the key.
Use Your Facial Expressions
Your facial expressions convey your emotions. Facial expressions are typically universal, which means they convey the same message globally. A frowning person is usually upset. Offer a smile when talking to someone, as long as it is not inappropriate to the situation.
This tells people that you are happy or in a good mood. It also creates an atmosphere with warmth and friendliness, allowing others to feel comfortable.
Your face can display a myriad of emotions. When a smile is not called for, be aware of your expression and react accordingly. A look of seriousness when your work is being critiqued or a sympathetic response to someone's expression of difficulties can go a long way to conveying your engagement with the situation.
Be Considerate of Personal Space
Pay attention to your proximity to others. Different cultures view proximity in various ways, so take notice if the person you’re communicating with is uncomfortable. This could mean that you are standing too close, and should create some distance between the two of you. The amount of physical space given can convey many emotions.
For example, a person who is behaving aggressively is probably standing very close to the other person. Be respectful of the personal space of others.
Mind Your Posture
Look at your posture. Slouching shows that you are not interested in what a person is saying. Your body movement is also important.
For example, swinging your leg back and forth while sitting in a meeting or drumming your fingers on the table tells others you are impatient, bored and uninterested. Sit up straight and face others when talking.
Be Aware of Tones and Sounds
Your tone of voice and the sounds you make can communicate your thoughts to others without your even speaking. If you receive directions from a manager and immediately grunt, you are showing your manager that you do not agree with what he said. Your tone or sounds can inform people of your anger, frustration or sarcasm. Avoid sighing repetitively or speaking in a high-pitched voice. Speak softly and calmly.
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