Lesson 3: Nonverbal

Communication in the Workplace

Lecturer and Facilitator: Reference:

Ma. Lourdes G. Olegario Essentials of Business
Communication
by: Mary Ellen Guffey
At the end of Lesson 3, you will be able to:

1 2 3
Explain the importance Discuss the forms of Demonstrate
of nonverbal nonverbal improvement in your
communication communication nonverbal
communication skills.
NONVERBAL
MESSAGES
• Understanding
messages often involves
more than merely
listening to spoken
words. Nonverbal cues
also carry powerful
meanings.

• Eye contact, facial

• Nonverbal expression, body
communication includes movements, space, time,
all unwritten and distance, appearance—all
unspoken messages,
these nonverbal cues
both intentional and
influence the way a
unintentional.
message is interpreted, or
decoded, by the receiver.
 Functions of Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal communication helps to convey

meaning in at least five ways.
As you become more aware of the
following functions of nonverbal
communication, you will be better able to
use these silent codes to your advantage
in the workplace.
 1. To complement and illustrate

•Nonverbal messages can amplify, modify,

or provide details for a verbal message.

For example, in describing the

size of a cell phone, a speaker
holds his fingers apart 5 inches.

Can you give other examples of nonverbal

cues used for this function?
 2. To reinforce and accentuate

• Skilled speakers raise their

voices to convey important
ideas, but they whisper to
suggest secrecy.

• A grimace forecasts painful

news, whereas a big smile
intensifies good news.

• A neat, well-equipped office

reinforces a message of
professionalism.
3. To replace and substitute
• Many gestures substitute for
words: nodding your head for
yes, giving a V for victory,
making a thumbs-up sign for
approval, and shrugging your
shoulders for I don’t know, or I
don’t care.

• In fact, a complex set of

gestures totally replaces
spoken words in sign language.
 4. To control and regulate

• Shifts in eye contact, slight head movements,

changes in posture, raising of eyebrows,
nodding of the head, and voice inflection—all
these cues tell speakers when to continue, to
repeat, to elaborate, to hurry up, or to finish.
 FORMS OF
NONVERBAL
COMMUNICATION
 Eye Contact
• Good eye contact enables the message sender to
determine whether a receiver is paying attention,
showing respect, responding favorably, or feeling
distress.

• From the receiver’s perspective, good eye contact

reveals the speaker’s sincerity, confidence, and
truthfulness.
Facial Expression

• Raising or lowering the eyebrows,

squinting the eyes, swallowing
nervously, clenching the jaw,
smiling broadly—these voluntary
and involuntary facial expressions
supplement or entirely replace
verbal messages.

• In the workplace, maintaining a

pleasant expression with frequent
smiles promotes harmony.
 Posture and Gestures
• In the workplace you can make a good impression by
controlling your posture and gestures.
• When speaking, make sure your upper body is aligned
with the person to whom you’re talking.
• Erect posture sends a message of confidence,
competence, diligence, and strength.
 Time
• How we structure and use
time tells observers about
our personality and
attitudes.
• In the workplace you can
send positive nonverbal
messages by being on time
for meetings and
appointments, staying on
task during meetings, and
giving ample time to
appropriate projects and
individuals.
 Space

• How we arrange things

in the space around us
tells something about
ourselves and our
objectives. Whether the
space is a dorm room,
an office, or a
department, people
reveal themselves in
the design and
grouping of furniture
within that space.
 Territory

• Each of us has certain areas that we feel are

our own territory, whether it is a specific spot or
just the space around us.
• We all maintain zones of privacy in which we
feel comfortable.
During
conversation,
how close do
you allow people
tp stand to you?
Intime zone 1 to 1 ½ feet Personal zone 1 ½ to 4 feet

Social zone 4 to 12 feet Public zone 12 or more feet

 Appearance of Public Documents

• The way a letter, memo, or report looks can

have either a positive or a negative effect on
the receiver.
• Letters and reports can look neat,
professional, well organized, and
attractive—or just the opposite.
• Sloppy, hurriedly written documents convey
negative nonverbal messages regarding
both the content and the sender.
Among the worst offenders are e-mail messages. Sending
an e-mail message full of errors conveys a damaging
nonverbal message. It says that the writer doesn’t care
enough about this message to take the time to make it read
well or look good.
 Appearance of People

•The way you look—your clothing,

grooming, and posture— telegraphs an
instant nonverbal message about you.

•Based on what they see, viewers make

quick judgments about your status,
credibility, personality, and potential.
 What do image consultants say?

AVOID PAY ATTENTION

• Avoid flashy garments • Good grooming

• Avoid clanky jewelry • Neat hairstyle
• Avoid garish makeup • Body cleanliness
• Avoid overpowering • Polished shoes
cologne • Clean nails
 Positive Nonverbal Signals in the Workplace

Eye contact Maintain direct but not prolonged eye contact

Facial expression Express warmth with frequent smiles
Posture Convey self-confidence with erect stance
Gestures Suggest accessibility with open-palm gestures
Time Be on time, use time judiciously
Space Maintain neat, functional work space
Territory Use closeness to show warmth and to reduce
status differences
Business documents Produce careful, neat, professional, well-
organized messages
Appearance Be well-groomed, neat, and appropriately dressed
End of Lesson 3