Nonverbal communication in

business and the workplace

around the world.

Joseph Lloyd

What is nonverbal communication?

“The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t

said”.-Peter F Drucker.

(founder of modern management)

It is used to allow people to notice true or false intentions, emotion,

or can add emphasis in verbal communication.

Part I:

The basics of nonverbal communication.

Nonverbal communication is a way of sending and

receiving messages in a variety of ways without the use of

a language.

These signals sometimes are intentional or maybe

unintentional.

The operations of nonverbal

communication.

Repetition, Addition, and Illustration.

Repetition

Is the nonverbal communication used to repeat a verbal

language if the verbal communication is misheard or

misunderstood by the observer.

Addition

This operation functions to add meaning or feeling to a

verbal message.

This function can cause a contradiction between the verbal

and nonverbal message.

Illustration

The illustration of intentions in place of a verbal

message.

The Workplace

Nonverbal signals give information of how people feel and

think about others.

They way coworkers judge and relate to one another in the

workplace can affect production.

Success

Nonverbal communication also affects the individual success of

an employee.

An employee that wants to succeed should observe the

behaviors of other people in the office and conform to how they

use nonverbal communication.

It is important to understand how the supervisor/boss

communicates both verbally and nonverbally with coworkers and

how the supervisor plays a role in job productivity.

Clients

Nonverbal communication with clients is important in

having client satisfaction.

The worker can do this by reading the client’s nonverbal

signals such as posture, tone of voice, or voice speed.

Business

Business often involves much human

interaction, and understanding certain elements

of nonverbal communication can be a benefit

when working with competitors from other

businesses, the public, and coworkers.

The two uses

Knowledge of nonverbal communication is

used two ways in business.

1. Managers use nonverbal communication to

lead employees of the business.

1. The employees use nonverbal signal to

communicate to the public.

Benefits to business.

When verbal and nonverbal communication is used in

unison, information and the main point are conveyed better

to the receiver.

Benefits of nonverbal communication in business include

an increase in production and opportunities with coworkers,

competitors, the public and clients.

Part II: Nonverbal signals around the

world.

Nonverbal signals are conducted differently around the

world; all countries rely on nonverbal signals in some way.

To a foreigner many differing nonverbal signals are

confusing, and it is important to note that signals used in

one country may invoke a negative reaction in another.

Cultural differences

Differences include paralanguage(pitch and speed of

voice), dress, facial , expressions, eye contact, touch,

gesture, and body movement.

An example of different paralanguage:

In Arabic speaking countries the loudness of a voice

indicates strength and softness indicating weakness.

Softness of a voice in Germany indicticates collectiveness

but loss of control in Japan.

Cultural Differences: Posture

Another cultural difference is posture. Bowing is

not common in the US but shows rank/position

in Japan. A posture such as slouching is rude

in most Northern European countries.

Appearance

All countries are concerned about their

appearance, and will make judgments based

on how others dress and look.

Americans for instance, appear to other

countries as being obsessed with how they

dress and personal attractiveness, while other

countries may prefer modesty.

Smell

Smell is also a cultural difference in nonverbal

communication; an example is the United

States offensiveness towards body odor while

in Arabic speaking countries this body odor is

normal.

Facial expressions

Facial expressions are similar worldwide; examples are

showing happiness(smiling), sadness(crying), anger, and

disgust.

Since facial expression conveys emotion, it can show if a

business associate agrees or disagrees with certain

actions.

Eye contact

Eye contact and gaze differ in many countries.

In the US eye contact indicates a degree of

interest and attention. Japan, Africa, Latin

America, and the Caribbean avoid eye contact

to show respect.

Touch

Some cultures have similar ideas on what part

of the body is socially acceptable to touch.

A basic message with touch is that it is used to

control, protect, or support.

Body movement

Body movement is the most diverse and the most important

in sending messages. Body movement can send signals of

the person’s attitude, emotional state, and the person want

to communicate.

Part III: Respect and Power

Respect and power play a role in sending the right nonverbal signals.

Showing respect and powerful planning affects how situations involving

communication are handled

People in business interactions spend time choosing the right words so that

they avoid sending wrong messages along with their nonverbal signals.

Nonverbal signals used to convey honesty and respect include facial

expressions and eye contact.

Respect

Showing respect in nonverbal communication in a business

setting is important because it will lead to the reputation

and opinion of the employee.

The first way to show attention and respect is to abandon

distractions and other activities.

Respect and eye contact

People have a tendency to make more eye contact with people they know and

like than with an individual they do not know or like. In a more private setting

looking only at one person can be disrespectful.

No matter how big the audience is, it is respectful to keep eye contact with one

individual at a time using the right eye to look into another's right eye.

Respect with a speaker

Leaning forwards and effective way to convey

attention and interest to a speaker, however

leaning backwards shows disinterest.

In stressful situations keep hands where people

can see them because this shows honesty, and

people who talk with their hands are seen as

more confident and powerful people.

Power

Powerful planning is part of nonverbal

communication.

People who are pushed around feel angry, and

people who appear weak may be unable to

fulfill tasks and goals set for them in the

workplace.

Power and nonverbal communication

The worker’s title, authority, experience, and even a

handshake contribute to how people perceive the power of

an individual.

Powerful people speak with their hands and use

appropriate signals of confidence and authority.

The End

In conclusion, nonverbal communication can send a mixed variety of signals

conveying emotion, status, or credibility depending on the signals used.

Nonverbal signals such as body movement and placement are used to benefit

and contribute to the success of an employee or business.

Question time.

Q1. What is nonverbal communication?

Q2. What are the three operations of nonverbal communication?

Q3. Nonverbal communication is important to have to understand what the

client ______ and _____.

Q4. What is paralanguage?

Q5. An example of posture is?

Q6. Four facial expressions?

Q7. What nonverbal communication is the most important and diverse in

sending messages.

Q8. What two aspects play a role in sending the right nonverbal signals?

Q9. What do dishonest speakers usually do?

Q10. What is my last name?

bibliographyAndrews University. “Nonverbal Communication Modes.”-

http://www.andrew.edu/~tidwell/bsad560/NonVerbal.html

Drew, Bettina. “Benefits of Nonverbal Communication in Business.”

http://smallbusiness.chron.com/benefit-nonverbal-communication-business-2831.html

McFarlin,Kate. “Nonverbal Communication Examples in the Workplace.”

http://smallbusiness.chron.com/nonverbal-communication-examples-workplace-10663.html

Schwartz, Lezlie. “Nonverbal Communication with Workplace Interactions.”

http://smallbusiness.chron.com/nonverbal-communication-examples-workplace-10663.html

Stein, Debra. “Credibility, Respect, and Power: Sending the Right Nonverbal Signals.”

http://www.gcastrategies.com/booksandarticles/62/credibility-respect-and-

power-sending-the-right-nonverbal-signals/