Non-Verbal Gestures for Better Communication
Communication is an essential part of building relationships in personal and professional life. Learning gestures and body language helps convey the message without uttering any word. The messages that we cannot convey by verbal communication are often expressed through non-verbal communication.
Our body language and facial expression are a crucial part of one-to-one or group interaction. Nonverbal communication is used for:
- To express our emotions
- Catching signals from one another
- Expression of personality
- Represent our attitude towards another person
- To greet someone
Methods of non-verbal communication
Good communication skills are the pillar to forming a strong relationship. However, some things are better expressed without saying anything directly as the saying goes, “Actions speak louder than words”. The emotions that our eyes express or the interest our body shows in other people is much more important than what we say to them. Words hold no importance if our body says otherwise.
Learning appropriate body language with the help of neuro-linguistic programming for a successful relationship and career is the best option if you are dealing with some difficulty in life.
Here are the non-verbal methods used generally for the expression:
Facial expressions
Our face is the mirror of our emotions and feelings. No doubt, some are good at hiding their internal emotions while some face expresses immediately what they feel. In our daily life, we feel many emotions like anger, happiness, sadness, excitement, curiosity, and so on. Our face is master at expressing all of them in a different form.
Posture of body
Body postures express a lot by the way we walk, sit and stand. People judge a lot of things from body postures. For instance, if we are talking to someone and standing in front of them by folding our arms then it expresses disinterest in them. Or we are talking to someone and continuously moving our hands on our face then it shows our consciousness while talking to them.
Gestural communication
The gestures that we represent by using different parts of our body are also a form of non-verbal communication. Nodding our head, showing thumbs up or different movements of hands for greeting are some types of gestures. In different parts of the world, the gestures represent different meanings. Therefore, one must be aware of the meaning of some particular gesture before using it.
Eye contact
Eyes are a major part of nonverbal communication. A person’s eyes say a lot about them while they are talking to you. You can tell if they are interested in you, attentive towards you, or hiding something by the way they look at you.
Voice tone
Voice tone is always an important part of non-verbal communication. It is easy to judge if someone is happy, angry, sympathizing, or upset by the tone of their voice.
Touch
Touch is a major non-verbal form of communication. The way someone touches you says a lot about them and the message they want to convey. For instance, a pat on the shoulder expresses encouragement and a handshake expresses interest.
Ways to make your non-verbal communication better
Be attentive towards the actions
People express more through their actions than their words. Therefore, while talking to someone we don’t have to pay attention to the words they are saying but their body language also. They might be saying something but their voice of tone, body gestures, or eyes might say something completely different.
Therefore, for better understanding, we need to be completely attentive while talking to someone and listening carefully to them. This way we can make our response better and make our communication better.
Spot the difference
Every human does not directly express their emotions. But their body expresses it at some point. You need to pay close attention if their words and actions match with each other. For instance, if someone says they are fine but their face is dull and their eyes are sad, then clearly they are just hiding it, not because they have some bad intentions but they might not be comfortable in sharing the truth.
In such a situation, we should judge their behavior but should not force them to speak up or make them uncomfortable.Instead, we can be their support and try to cheer them up.
Making comfortable eye contact
Eye contact form the base of communication. Making the right kind of eye contact helps you communicate better with your partner or friend. So, if someone is talking to you, do not keep looking in the other direction. Also, do not stare at them continuously, it will make them uncomfortable.
Meeting the other person’s gaze is quite important to express your interest in them. The right amount of making eye contact is three to four seconds and keep looking at them at short intervals.
Focus on your body language
Keeping an open body position is a way to make someone comfortable. There are various ways to express your interest in someone’s conversation by your body movements. For instance, having an open posture does not mean that you seem over relaxed to indicate disinterest but you are attentive enough to hear what they are saying.
Standing with hands on your back represents negative posture, so avoid it and keep your hands on your sides. A strong handshake is also an important part to start or end the conversation but does not overdo it that it hurts the other person or makes them uncomfortable.
Some people keep touching their faces while listening or speaking. It reflects very bad body language as if you are being dishonest.
Do not fidget
Fidgeting is such a disturbing thing while interacting with someone. Making small movements with your hand or your feet expresses your anxiety or stress. If you are talking to someone and fidgeting continuously, then the person is distracted and feels uncomfortable while talking. If you are not able to control this habit due to high anxiety levels, then NLP therapy is the right option for you.
