Non-verbal communication skills and techniques describe gestures, intonation, facial expressions, body language, eye contact, and posture when conversing (Manusov, 2016). In any conversation, identifying and taking note of nonverbal communication gestures employed is integral in aiding one to understand the feelings and general information a respondent relays. Accordingly, nonverbal communication skills play a significant role in creating a positive or negative impression. Some postures deemed poor may be considered unprofessional in interviews or a professional setting, while, in other instances, it may be a sign of comfort with a conversing partner. Therefore, this study describes non-verbal communication skills, the challenges of learning effective non-verbal communication strategies, and how one learns non-verbal skills and later provides thoughts and reflection on the subject.
Description of Non-Verbal Communication Skills
Communication is a term often assumed to mean and describe the words used. Nonetheless, interpersonal communication entails much more than explicitly conveying the meaning of works and the information or message conveyed. It entails implicit messages delivered intentionally or non-intentionally expressed through non-verbal actions. In this regard, non-verbal communication is a term that describes facial expressions, tone and pitch of a voice, gestures relayed through body language, the physical distance between those communicating, and eye contact (Pereira et al., 2021). Mainly, these are implicit messages relayed either intentionally or non-intentionally and could aid in enabling one to understand the information relayed during a conversation. A person’s nonverbal communication cues inform the person one is communicating with whether one cares or not and can also be used to determine if a person is speaking the truth. More so, they indicate how well a conversing partner is listening. The non-verbal signals that align with the spoken words play an integral role in increasing trust, clarity, and rapport. When nonverbal cues are not aligned with spoken words, mistrust and tension may ensue during a conversation.
Challenges of Learning Effective Non-Verbal Communication Skills
Non-verbal communication enables people to express what they want to say and feel. Nonetheless, learning non-verbal communication skills can be challenging. First, non-verbal communication cues are often vague and not precise compared to verbal communication. Typically, how one understands specific cues differ from one culture to another. Mainly, this renders non-verbal communication a poor communication skill or tool for conveying information and leaves people uncertain (Vogel et al., 2018). The less precise nature and confusing element of non-verbal communication among people of different regions, ages, and backgrounds make learning challenging.
Additionally, learning non-verbal communication may not effectively enable one to grasp the correct meaning of a cue used by a respondent during conversations. A person in a conversation may use a cue to refer to and relay certain information that is likely to be misunderstood by the other party in a discussion. Manusov (2016) argued that non-verbal communication is used to communicate in instances where one may want to save verbal language for essential matters. Nonetheless, the chances of misunderstanding a cue are high, meaning that learning the language is also confusing and challenging.
How One Learns Non-Verbal Communication Skills
People learn non-verbal communication skills in different ways. Nonetheless, the three most common techniques of learning non-verbal communication cues are paying attention to non-verbal signals, looking and identifying incongruent behavior, and focusing on intonation. People often communicate non-verbally through bodily movements, eye contact, and gestures, to mention a few. These signals may relay essential information. Eye contact can help determine one’s attentiveness during a conversation (Vogel et al., 2018). Paying attention to these signals could improve one’s ability to communicate non-verbally. Further, observing incongruent behaviors is also another way of learning non-verbal communication skills. People may ignore what is said and focus on how moods, thoughts, and emotions are expressed, particularly when words do not align or match with non-verbal signals. Understanding the reason behind incongruent behavior is one of the ways people learn non-verbal communication skills. Lastly, focusing on the voice tone is another way of understanding non-verbal communication cues. The voice tone can convey information that ranges from disinterest to anger. Tone can help amplify one’s message, and listening to one’s tone can foster an understanding of non-verbal communication skills.
Thoughts and Reflections on the Subject
Non-verbal communication cues are integral in making people understand the importance of a conveyed message and information. The topic of non-verbal communication skills is integral, and one should endeavor to learn more about these skills to ensure that one can relate with others and connect in more profound ways. By understanding and learning non-verbal communication, people can understand and have a deeper meaning in conversations. I find this topic interesting and worthwhile since conversations happen daily. Most people lack connection with others for failing to understand their point-of-view during interactions. Reading and understanding meaning may be complex in certain situations, and knowing non-verbal codes and linking them to verbal communication could be paramount and integral in fostering meaningful associations.
References
Manusov, V. (2016). Nonverbal communication. The International Encyclopedia of Communication Theory and Philosophy, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118766804.wbiect096
Pereira, M., Meng, H., & Hone, K. (2021). Prediction of communication effectiveness during media skills training using commercial automatic non-verbal recognition systems. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.675721
Vogel, D., Meyer, M., & Harendza, S. (2018). Verbal and non-verbal communication skills, including empathy during history taking of undergraduate medical students. BMC Medical Education, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-018-1260-9
write