How do non-verbal communication cues impact your communication?

When asking, how are you, ever gotten these responses? Fine ?? Fine ?? Fine ?? How you say it is more important than what you say. Why? More than 70% of communication is non-verbal Use the non-verbal communication as another layer to connect with the person you're speaking

Expert speakers video themselves. It's brutal but worth it. You can pick up and eliminate bad habits that may distract from your message.

A reminder to have good posture and be attentive in meetings. Sit up, show interest in what others are saying - choose your words carefully. Show respect to those around you.

Definitely, what we feel reflects to our behavior, tone of voice, our face appearance as well our belive on what we want to deliver, John Maxwell once said, the more you walk the walk, the less you have to talk. And here we always hear with our eyes faster than we receive the message with our ears.

Nonverbal communication cues are essential to convey culturally appropriate signs of respect to the other parties. For example, in my interpreting career, the majority of my clients were Spanish-speaking (as a first or second language), with varying levels of access to education. Some of my clients were not taught to read and write. Demonstrating respect to them through culturally appropriate nonverbal cues was essential to building trust as a foundation for that client's language access. As a law student, I believe that nonverbal respect cues are also very important when communicating with clients to better serve them.

The key to mastering non-verbal communication is through visceral empathy. To be viscerally empathetic, we need to become a deep observer and be very mindful of what the other person could be feeling. When our observation skills peak, we start noticing minute non-verbal cues. It could be a milli second of watery/shining eyes, or a break of eye contact when you said a particular word, or how much they slouch their shoulders, etc. When we mirror these cues back to them in subtle ways or show constant engagement through eye contact, facial expressions, touch, etc., we communicate non-verbally in a beautiful manner.

Non-verbal cues are affirming or contradictive to your verbal cues. If you are uncomfortable looking into someone else's eyes, just look at their forehead right about in between their eyes. This will give the other person a similar feeling as you are confident in what you are saying. A slight hand gesture can help emphasize what you are saying. If you are unconsciously crossing your hands across your chest, it means you do not feel safe and need distance from the other person. If you are speaking to a large crowd, you do a crowd scan where you randomly pick a person in the crowd to hold that eye contact for a couple of seconds, then move on to the other side of the stage to find another target. This way audience will feel engaged.

Be aware of your body and the cues it is giving out. Most of the time, our face gives out way too much than needed! A genuine smile can warm up a conversation, while a straight face can show disapproval. Open gestures can mean confidence but avoid overusing or making erratic gestures that may confuse or distract.

One thing I learnt in customer service is that I have so much influence on the outcome, not only do I give my customer my full attention, but I also lean in to ensure that they can see that I am focused just on them. And some days we are tired or frustrated...maybe tasks haven't gone as planned, just starting a conversation with a smile puts you in a better mental space.

When in conversation I like to nod my head whilst someone is talking. It gives a subtle reminder that I am engaged with what they are saying. I also engage in direct eye contact, but not staring as this can come across as intimidating or weird.

Remember, - Don't overdo them - Don't only observe, reciprocate - Don't overthink your observations - Be mindful of the person's culture and individuality - Start gradually, and start with observation first

From a receiving perspective we have to see beyond the listening face. As a speaker I’d think my audience hates what I had to say as they were frowning… the same people came up and told me how much they loved the session.. it was their listening face! I’ve seen mine. It’s not smiley and happy! Be aware of yours but also don’t judge someone when they are processing.

So what should you first consider? Know that your face talks (along with other non-verbal gestures and motions). I remember the first time someone answered my question even though I hadn’t said anything. How did they know what I wanted to ask them? I was told the question was written all over my face. It was then that I knew I had to look in the mirror, record myself, and ask others what my face was “saying.” Now, I intentionally manage (most of the time) my facial expressions because apparently my face speaks loudly. Maybe yours does too. The other factor that must be considered is that so much impacts how someone interprets our non-verbal cues. Our perceptions are influenced by our culture, backgrounds, experiences and more.

Avoiding common pitfalls of non-verbal communication cues is crucial for effective interaction. The key is awareness. First, pay attention to your own non-verbal cues, from facial expressions to body language. Second, be mindful of cultural differences; what's acceptable in one culture may not be in another. Third, practice active listening - it's not just about what's said but how it's said. Lastly, seek feedback from trusted colleagues or mentors to fine-tune your non-verbal skills. Mastering these nuances can lead to more successful and harmonious communication.

In my experience, I think the most important qualities to avoid the pitfall are ability to be self-aware, calm in the situation, and be more empathetic. Communication is crucial, it can make or break a deal, so it's very important to have command on non-verbal communication which constitute 70% of your communication as Chris mentioned above.

There are 3 things that I do to improve my non-verbal communication skills. I observe people and when their gestures or facial expressions sends a message to me, I consider it a hint. Then I ask questions to explore that hint. For example, if someone looks disinterested, I will ask what they are thinking. Sometimes, a disinterested look?turns out to be contemplation or confusion. The second thing I do is record myself. Yes, it is a cringe-worthy experience. I have done it often and I still cringe. It is also one of the most effective ways to understand what my non-verbal cues look like to others. Third, I ask others to observe me. Yes, that is uncomfortable, and it is also a valuable learning experience.

Developing observation & awareness skills require a concious & deliberate effort. It is not just about learning all kinds of non-verbal cues. It is more about building an inherent ability to subconciously notice & interpret such cues. This can come with learning and practice - learning about human psychology & behaviour and practice of meditation. Mindfulness meditation is an excellent way to build sharp awareness. In fact, the initial stages of the mindfulness practice train us to be aware of many day to day activities that are taken for granted & run on autopilot. When our awareness enhances, we can easily combine multiple verbal and non verbal elements of the communication to interpret the real message effectively in real time.

Have a colleague in a meeting with the intent to observe you. I let them focus om 3 things: 1) Am I tense? (clenching jaws, shoulders high, speaking agitated?) 2) Am I inviting & and inclusive? ( Eye contact, nod for confirmation, open palms) 3) Are people mirroring my movement? (Indication that I've built rapport)

I improved my nonverbal communication skills by paying close attention to facial expressions, gestures, and posture. I actively sought feedback, which helped me better interpret and use nonverbal cues in different situations.

Start with your feet. If you want to begin to notice your own non-verbal cues and those of others, starting with a grounded presence is key. If standing*, put your feet on the ground directly under your hips ("neutral stance" or "primary posture"). If sitting, ground your feet directly under your knees. This is a stance of strength and openness. It sounds strange, but grounding your energy into the earth can allow the rest of you to feel calm and open. You'll notice where you fidget, become more aware of your facial tics, etc. *If standing or sitting are not possible for you, imagine your feet being connected to the earth. This visualization can energetically do the same work.

Beware of stereotypes and pop-psychology. If someone does not look you in the eye, don't be quick to interpret this as dishonesty. The person could be autistic or from culture where it is rude to stare in the eyes. Likewise, a "fidgety" person could be neurodivergent or dealing with trauma or anxiety. Don't jump to conclusions about someone's character based on surface cues and stereotypical interpretations.

When visiting another country for business or speaking engagements, do some research online first on local non-verbal cues. Hiring a protocol consultant can also help you prepare for the trip when it comes to more important formal events because they can train you on verbal and nonverbal cues.

Be aware of things which get in the way of your message, distracting clothing or showing too much skin. Twitching and fidgeting, pacing without purpose and rocking.

Non-verbal cues are like our silent language. They include things like smiling, shaking hands firmly, or even how we move our body or head. These cues can show what we're thinking and feeling, even when we don't talk. They can make people feel comfortable or defensive, without any words spoken. So, paying attention to your own body language and noticing what others are doing can help you communicate better. It's like having a secret code to express what you mean, without using words

1. **Effective Eye Contact:** Building trust and connection through eye contact. 2. **Body Language and Posture:** Conveying confidence and openness through posture. 3. **Gestures and Hand Movements:** Enhancing message clarity and engagement. 4. **Facial Expressions:** Using emotions to complement spoken words. 5. **Tone of Voice and Pitch:** Conveying meaning and emotion through vocal cues. 6. **Timing and Pauses:** Emphasizing key points with strategic pauses. 7. **Proximity and Personal Space:** Signaling comfort and boundaries through distance.