Types of nonverbal communication

Your facial expressions, gestures, posture, and tone of voice are all effective means of communication. While good communication skills are essential for success in both personal and professional relationships, it is your nonverbal cues or “body language” that speak the loudest. Body language is the unconscious use of nonverbal communication through physical behaviour, expressions, and mannerisms.

During your interactions with others, you are constantly sending and receiving nonverbal signals, with or with your knowledge unconsciously. All of your nonverbal behaviours, your gestures, posture, tone of voice, and amount of eye contact, send strong messages. They can either put people at ease, build trust, and attract others to you, or they can offend, confuse, and undermine what you’re trying to say. These messages do not stop even if you stop speaking. Even if you are silent, you are communicating nonverbally.

Sometimes, what you speak and what you communicate through your body language may be diametrically opposite. If you say one thing but your body language says another, your listener will likely suspect you of deception. 

For example, if you say “yes” while shaking your head no. When confronted with such conflicting signals, the listener must decide whether to believe your verbal or nonverbal message. They will most likely choose the nonverbal message because body language is a natural, unconscious language that broadcasts your true feelings and intentions.

Nonverbal communication, on the other hand, can help you better express yourself, connect with others, and build stronger, more rewarding relationships.

The importance of nonverbal communication cannot be overstated. Your nonverbal communication cues: the way you listen, look, move, and react, tell the person you’re communicating with whether or not you care, whether or not you’re being truthful, and how well you’re listening. When your nonverbal cues match what you’re saying, trust, clarity, and rapport improve. If they don’t, they can create tension, mistrust, and confusion.

If you want to improve your communication skills, you must become more aware of not only the body language and nonverbal cues of others but also of your own.

Expressions of the face. 

The human face is extremely expressive, capable of conveying a wide range of emotions without saying a single word. Facial expressions, unlike some other forms of nonverbal communication, are universal. Face expressions for happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, fear, and disgust are universal.

Posture and movement of the body

Consider how you perceive people based on how they sit, walk, stand, or hold their heads. The way you move and carry yourself conveys a wealth of information to the rest of the world. Your posture, bearing, stance, and subtle nonverbal communication are all examples of nonverbal communication. 

Gestures

Gestures are inextricably linked to our daily lives. You may wave, point, beckon, or use your hands when arguing or speaking animatedly, often expressing yourself with gestures without thinking. The meaning of some gestures, however, varies greatly across cultures. While the hand sign “OK” is commonly used to convey a positive message in English-speaking countries, it is considered offensive in Germany, Russia, and Brazil. As a result, it is critical to use gestures with caution to avoid misinterpretation.

Make direct eye contact. Because most people’s dominant sense is vision, eye contact is an especially important form of nonverbal communication. The way you look at someone can convey a variety of emotions, such as interest, affection, hostility, or attraction. Maintaining eye contact is also important for keeping the conversation flowing and gauging the other person’s interest and response.

Touch. We communicate a lot through touch. Consider the various messages conveyed by a weak handshake, a warm bear hug, a patronising pat on the head, or a controlling grip on the arm.

Space. Have you ever felt awkward during a conversation because someone was standing too close to you, invading your personal space? We all require physical space, though the amount varies depending on culture, situation, and the closeness of our relationships. Physical space can be used to convey a wide range of nonverbal messages, including signals of intimacy and affection, aggression, and dominance.

Voice. It is not only what you say, but also how you say it. When you speak, people “read” your voice as well as listen to your words. Your timing and pace, how loud you speak, your tone and inflection, and sounds that convey understanding, such as “ahh” and “uh-huh,” are all things they pay attention to. Consider how your tone of voice can convey sarcasm, anger, affection, or confidence.

Nonverbal communication can serve five functions:

Repetition: It reinforces and often reinforces the message you’re conveying verbally.

Contradiction: It can contradict the message you’re attempting to convey, implying to your listener that you might not be telling the truth.

It can be used in place of a verbal message. For example, your facial expression can often convey a far more powerful message than words ever could.

Complementing: It may supplement or add to your verbal message. If you, as a boss, give an employee a pat on the back in addition to praise, you can increase the impact of your message.

Accentuation: It can emphasise or underline a verbal message. Pounding on the table, for example, can emphasise the significance of your message.

One cannot control all of the signals you are constantly sending about what you are truly thinking and feeling. And the more you try, the more unnatural your signals will appear. That does not, however, imply that you have no control over your nonverbal cues. For example, if you disagree with or dislike what someone is saying, you you can make a conscious effort to avoid sending negative signals—by maintaining an open stance and truly attempting to understand what they’re saying, and why. If you want to communicate effectively, avoid misunderstandings, and enjoy solid, trusting relationships both socially and professionally, you must understand and interpret body language and improve your nonverbal communication skills. Learn to read people, tame your responses and engage into something that overpowers your responses such as learning a language. 

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