NON-VERBAL

COMMUNICATION
To understand the importance of nonverbal behavior
in the communication process
To learn how paralanguage can affect the message
you communicate
To improve your perception of body movement in
nonverbal communication
To learn how space is used to communicate in the
business organization
To recognize the impact of dress and
appearance,color, and time on those around you

What is non-verbal
communication?
Non verbal communication can be defined
as all those messages that are not encoded
with words
More than 90% of our message is
communicated nonverbally

USES OF NON-VERBAL
COMMUNICATION
Instant effect in terms of conveyance and response
Aids verbal communication by compressing
complex data
Response to visuals and plain sounds is more
powerful
Best method to convey information to illiterate
people and overcome barriers of language

Major categories of non-verbal

communication

Paralanguage-how we say something

Kinesis- how we communicate with our bodies
Proxemics -how we communicate with space
Communication through dress and appearance
Communication through color
Communication through time

PARALANGUAGE
While Language deals with what is said, Paralanguage deals
with how it is said
Paralanguage can reinforce or undermine the verbal message
Paralanguage voice qualities include rate,volume,emotion,
rhythm, pitch and resonance in combination with vocal
qualifiers
An increase in rate could indicate anger, impatience or
anxiety. A decrease in rate can indicate thoughtfulness,
reflective attitude or on the other hand boredom and lack of
interest
Paralanguage conveys emotion

PARALANGUAGE contd
Volume adjusted to the audience,loudness shows
rudeness or lack of self-control
Pitch-high pitch may indicate fear, immaturity or
emotional disturbance
Pronunciation-accepted standard of the way in
which a word is said.
Intonation-sound pattern
Stress changes implied meaning
Non-fluencies-indicate hesitation

KINESICS

Eye Contact
Facial Expressions
Gesture
Posture
Side-to side
movements
Forward and
Backward movements
Vertical movements

Attitudes
Status
Affective states or
moods
Approval seeking
Inclusiveness
Interaction markers

Characteristics of Kinesics

Conveys meaning
Always present
Emotionally expressive
Dominates interaction
More Trustworthy

Kinesics is influenced by
Biological factors-body shapes and features
Habitual factors-occupation and adaptation
Cultural factors-conduct

Gestures
Emblems-sign language
Illustrators-tied to verbal language
Regulators-control oral communication by
alerting the sender
Affect Displays-indicate emotional states
such as anger and embarrassment, no
control over them
Adaptors-unconscious gestures

Postures
Communicates meaning
Clues to the self-confidence or status
Posture of superiors and subordinates
conveys meaning
Some firms make selection decisions
primarily on the basis of gesture and
posture

ENERGY

PHYSICAL
INTELLECTUAL
EMOTIONAL
SPIRITUAL
Energy conveys Competence and inspires
Respect

Proxemics
All of us communicate by the use of space around
us.
Communication zones determine social interaction.
Feature-fixed Space-buildings
Semi-fixed Feature Space- furniture
Informal Space
The space we occupy in the organization
communicates much about our status in the
organization.

Zones of Informal Space

Intimate Distance-physical contact upto 18
inches; confidential information, handshake
Personal Distance-18 in. to 4 ft.;casual and
friendly conversation
Social Distance-4 ft to 8ft; organizational
communication
Public Distance-12 ft to upper limits of
visibility and hearing

Use of Space vs Status

T h re e
p r in c ip le s
use of space
v s s ta tu s
T h e h ig h e r u p p e o p le
a r e in t h e o r g a n iz a t io n
th e m o re a n d
b e t t e r s p a c e th e y a r e a llo t t e d

T h e h ig h e r u p p e o p le
a r e in t h e o r g a n iz a t io n ,
th e b e tte r p ro te c te d
t h e ir t e r r it o r y is

T h e h ig h e r u p p e o p le
a r e in t h e o r g a n iz a t io n ,
t h e e a s ie r it is fo r t h e m t o in v a d e
t h e t e r r it o r y o f lo w e r = s t a t u s p e r s o n n e l

COLOUR
Classification and identification of products
Attraction and differentiation
Added dimension to maps, charts and
graphs for more information
Psychological effect

Color,Dress and Appearance

Color is related to particular moods.
Clothes communicates much about us to
others The apparel oft proclaims the man
Top Executives have an unwritten code for
corporate dress.

Time

Being early or late

Setting and meeting of deadlines
Individuals with high status given priority
Time taken to give and receive feedback

Checklist of Techniques for

Improving Nonverbal
Communication Skills
Establish and maintain eye contact
Use posture to show interest
Reduce or eliminate physical barriers
Improve your decoding skills
Probe for more information

Checklist continued
Avoid assigning non verbal meanings out of
context
Associate with people from diverse cultures
Appreciate the power of appearance
Observe yourself on video
Enlist friends and family

NON VERBAL ASPECTS OF

WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

Font size and style

Margins
Spacing
Quality of paper
The appearance and feel of a document
convey impressions about the status of the
sender and also makes it more readable and
attractive to the receiver.

OTHER METHODS OF
NONVERBAL
COMMUNICAION

PICTURES
DIAGRAMS
GRAPHS AND CHARTS
MAPS

PICTURES
Universally understood
Attract attention
Extensively used

GRAPHS/CHARTS

Bar chartsLine graphs-trends, future results

Pie chart-percentages
Flow chart- procedure/alternate action

MAPS

Show space relationship

Geographical information
Sociological factors
Routes

AUDITORY SYMBOLS

Sirens
Whistles
Bells and buzzers
Beeps
Tunes

Warning
Call/stop
Start and end
Electronic gadgets
Signature

SILENCE

Positive withdrawal of suspension of speech

Short silences are effective
Emphasis ,Sympathy,Anger or Displeasure
At times silence can cause discomfort,
embarrassment,or confusion
Complemented by body language

THANK YOU