Non Verbal Communication on ITEC 2011.

1. Nonverbal Communication
 It influences the way a message is interpreted
by the receiver
 Includes all unwritten and unspoken
messages
 Non-verbal cues speak louder than words
 These cues contain up to 93% of the
meaning of a message
 In a clash between the verbal and the non-
verbal the receivers tend to believe the non-
verbal messages

2. Nonverbal Communication
Eye contact –
 Eyes give out the true feelings and attitudes.
Enables the sender to determine if the
receiver is paying attention, showing respect
and responding favourably or not.

3. Nonverbal Communication
Effective guidelines on eye contact:
 If you have trouble staring someone in the eye,
look at something else on their face.
 When speaking to a group look at everyone.
 Look at people who are key decision makers or
hold power.
 Look at reactive listeners.
 Do not look at the floor, scripts or anything that
causes you tilt your head away from the receiver.
 Do not look at bad listeners who may distract
you.

4. Nonverbal Communication
Facial Expression –
 Human face can display almost 2,50,000 different expressions.
Posture and Gestures –
 Postures can convey high status and confidence or shyness and
submissiveness.
Gestures can also communicate thoughts through movements.
Time, Space and Territory send silent messages –
 How we use our time and structure ourselves reflects our
personality. How we arrange things around us speaks on
ourselves and our objectives. We all have our comfort zones.

5.  Appearance sends silent messages
o Appearance of business documents can either
convey our professionalism or send negative
messages about the same.
o Appearance of people helps the onlooker
make quick judgements about our status,
credibility, personality and potential.

6. Body Language Cues
 Defensiveness
 Crossing arms, glancing side-ways, touching or
rubbing nose, rubbing eyes, buttoning coat, drawing
away
 Nervousness
 Clearing throat, making “whew” sound, whistling,
smoking, pinching flesh, fidgeting, covering mouth,
jiggling money or keys, tugging ears, wringing
hands
 Cooperation
 Leaning forward, opening hands, sitting on edge of
chair, making hand-to-face gestures, unbuttoning
coat
Contd…

7. Body Language Cues
 Power, Confidence
 Making expansive movements, sitting upright,
steepling hands, placing hands behind back or in coat
pockets with thumbs out, acting affable, turning one’s
back, sitting in relaxed, almost sprawling position
 Weakness, Insecurity
 Making small movements, hunching over, pinching
flesh, chewing pen, twiddling thumbs, biting fingernails,
leaning forward with feet together on floor
 Frustration
 Taking short breaths, making “tsk” sound, wringing
hands, clenching fists, pointing index finger, running
fingers through hair, rubbing back of neck

8. Four Space Zones for Social Interaction
Zone Distance Uses
Intimate 0 to 1½ feet Reserved for members of the family
and other loved ones.
Personal 1½ to 4 feet For talking with friends privately. The
outer limit enables you to keep
someone at arm’s length.
Social 4 to 12 feet For acquaintances, fellow workers
and strangers. Close enough for eye
contact yet far enough for comfort.
Public 12 feet and over For use in the classroom and for
speeches before groups. Nonverbal
cues become important as aids to
communication.

9. Nonverbal Communication
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
 Avoid assigning nonverbal meanings out of context
 Associate with people from diverse cultures
 Appreciate the power of appearance
 Observe yourself on videotape
 Enlist friends and family