Beyond Words: The Power of Nonverbal Communication

By Cooper Young

Nonverbal communication is a necessity in our lives; it is the conveyance of information without any use of words. It is just as important as verbal communication, if not more important, and using it alongside verbal communication will add to it. Research shows that nonverbal cues may have a more significant impact on how we understand and receive messages than the words spoken. In this blog, we will go over the different styles of nonverbal communication, and how they can affect all of our interactions. We will also go over how and when to use them, including how to improve on them.

The Power of Nonverbal Communication

While words hold huge significance, according to the image on the right at least 80 percent of communication is nonverbal. Not only that, but without nonverbal communication, words would have a weaker meaning and less significance. Nonverbal cues can convey a variety of emotions that words are unable to convey. Understanding and utilizing these cues can carry us to stronger relationships, better our social interactions, and help our communication become more effective.

Body Language

Body language is the way we use our bodies to convey a meaning, this includes facial expressions, gestures, posture, and eye contact. If you see someone slouched, avoiding eye contact, you can assume that they’re either disinterested or not comfortable. On the other hand, someone with posture sitting up tall keeping constant eye contact can be assumed to be confident and comfortable. Using your body language and that of others to help understand and convey things can be used to your advantage.

Facial Expressions

The usage of facial expressions is a crucial part of nonverbal communication. It can be used to convert a wide range of emotions and feelings. Simple things like a smile can communicate to everyone that sees it that the person is happy. Watching others’ facial expressions and using your own is essential, as it may reveal their true emotions and feelings, if their words don’t or can’t. Teenagers tend to mask their true feelings by covering themselves with a facial expression, for example people like to smile when they are truly upset or sad.

Eye Contact

Maintaining good eye contact is crucial for building trust and showing attentiveness. When you engage in eye contact, it signals that you are listening and that you’re present. Having good eye contact with the person you are communicating with signals respect and interest. However, too much constant eye contact can worsen the communication and create awkwardness. Finding the right balance to show respect, but not make it awkward, is hard, but successful when done right. Studies by Michigan State have shown that keeping eye contact 50% of the time while speaking and 70% while listening is the most effective. If that is too complicated for you to use, you may want to use the 80/20 rule, this rule is to keep direct eye contact 80 percent of the time while letting your eyes wander for the other 20 percent.

Gestures

Gestures are a very important aspect of nonverbal communication, as they add emphasis to the point and the message. Popular hand gestures are waves, thumbs up, and pointing. Unlike the other forms of nonverbal communication, gestures can vary from culture to culture. An example of this is the thumbs up. A thumbs up in the United States is used for a sign of or agreement or a sign of approval, but, in Bangladesh, thumbs up is used as an insult. So, being aware of the cultural differences is important before using any forms of nonverbal communication.

Posture

Posture is the way you are holding your body and it can tell you someone’s mood and attitude. Someone with good posture is usually confident and comfortable, while someone slouched is most likely uncomfortable in some sort of way. Posture is the hardest nonverbal communication for others to judge because lots of people, especially teenagers nowadays, have poor posture during all moods and feelings.

Enhancing our nonverbal communication skills takes practice and self awareness.

How to Improve Your Nonverbal Communication

Enhancing our nonverbal communication skills takes practice and self awareness. The first thing you might want to do is observe others, pay attention to their nonverbal cues. Start by noticing how their body language and facial expressions match with the words spoken. Secondly, start becoming aware of your own nonverbal signs and signals by practicing in front of a mirror or by being recorded. Identify ways you can improve and work on those areas. Thirdly, develop good listening skills. If you focus on the speaker, respond, and provide feedback through your nonverbal cues, your communication is going to then be more effective. Lastly, engage in activities that use verbal and nonverbal communication. For example, being in a play uses both communication skills immensely, and joining the play can help improve your nonverbal communication skills, along with giving you more confidence.

Recommended Links:

Body Language

Roles of Nonverbal Communication.

Eye Contact Anxiety and How to Overcome it

Guide to Reading Facial Expression

Hand Gestures in Other Cultures