Why Nonverbal Communication Matters in the Workplace?

Instead of expressing verbally, many professionals use nonverbal communication to express how they feel and what they think at their workplaces. Understanding and communicating with others at work is one huge challenge for many, but interpreting nonverbal body language can present unique challenges. Whether we work in person or remotely, it is important to know how to communicate with colleagues, seniors and interviewers using gestures, tone of voice or other nonverbal cues to convey our message more effective.

According to?Albert Mehrabian ,?a psychologist at University of California, USA,?approximately 93 percent of communication is nonverbal, while words account for only 7 percent. Tone of voice makes up 38 percent of communication.

In this article, we shall discuss five common nonverbal communication situations that occur in the workplace.

1. Eye contact

This is the primary tool for establishing nonverbal connection with people, as eye contact conveys interest, involvement and emotions (EIE). People often attribute trustworthiness to those who speak while maintaining eye contact. Same goes for the social settings or when we are at home with our families.

While conversing with seniors, this trait shows confidence and with coworkers, they often feel valued and appreciated if they know they’re being heard. We can help them feel this way by?making eye contact ?while they’re speaking. Keeping our eyes on the person rather than on our computer, paperwork or cell phone lets them know we’re listening to them. Maintaining eye contact while replying to them also keeps the conversation engaging, and turning your camera on for video chats can build a respectful relationship between coworkers.

2. Positive Voice Tone

It isn't easy to?control our tone of voice?and how we sound on the internet, whether?we're professional public speaker, a celebrity or a just an employee at any organisaiton.?Even when setting out with the best intentions as a marketer, it’s easy to lapse into clichéd communication styles, making our messaging sound inauthentic.

Though the act of speaking is a part of verbal communication, how we speak can be considered nonverbal communication. Whether we’re communicating in person or participating in a video conference call, always be aware of our tone of voice so it reflects our intended message. Maintaining a positive tone while talking with a coworker or a senior can affect the energy of our whole conversation.

3. Personal Impression

The way we present ourselves can create an impact greater than words might say. Our?workplace appearance ?such as looking neat and prepared, even if we are in the comfort of our own home office—or keeping a tidy workstation can convey our self-confidence and make a positive impression on coworkers. Personal hygiene is yet another issue for some at the workplace which can completely destroy our personal impression.?

This is reflected in the way how we present ourselves to others, as it creates a dynamic presence and an attitude of leadership. Employees convey messages by their sitting posture, whether they are leaning back comfortably in their chair or sitting rigidly on the edge of their seat. When standing, be sure to stand up tall and straight to send a message of self-assurance, authority and energy.

4. Facial expressions

Our face says it all. There are a very few people who can hide their facial expressions, probably the secret service officers (who most of the time have flat faces). Generally, during business communication, we can?show that we’re paying attention to our colleagues while listening by holding a slight smile, nodding occasionally and maintaining good eye contact.?

As people communicate with us, they often anticipate a nonverbal response by watching our facial expressions. Keep in mind that even during a?virtual interview , our face can communicate what we’re feeling or thinking without using any words. Smiling, nodding and using our eyebrows can indicate a positive reaction when having a conversation.

5. Gestures

Communicating through touch has evolved from the pre-COVID workplace. Even without social-distancing protocols, people have always varied in their comfort levels with touch. Developing our?cultural intelligence ?can be a useful, rapport-building skill @Workplace.?In business, the handshake is the only appropriate expression of touch, so it is imperative to have a good one. It has to be confident one (if it is for the first time) and it has to be a proper, proper full handshake.?

Besides, the way our gestures or position our hands during conversations can convey how we’re feeling. If we move our hands to build expression throughout stories, people can become more engaged in what we’re saying. Hand gestures can also express friendliness or appreciation.

Bottomline?

To sum it up, body language is the unspoken part of communication that we use to reveal our true feelings and to give our message more impact.?Communication is made up of so much more than words.?A simple example of body language is a relaxed facial expression that breaks out into a genuine smile – with mouth upturned and eyes wrinkled. Equally, it can be a tilt of the head that shows we're thinking, an upright stance to convey interest, or hand and arm movements to demonstrate directions.?

It can also be taking care to avoid a defensive, arms-crossed posture, or restlessly tapping our feet.When?we can "read" signs like these, you can understand?the complete message?in what someone is telling?us.?We'll be more aware of people's reactions to what?we say?and do, too. And we'll be able to adjust our body language to appear more positive, engaging and approachable.

About the Author

Muhammad Sajwani ?is the Founder and Managing Director of?Evolve HR ?which aims at transforming,?enriching and evolving Human Capital of Pakistan,?Evolve HR thrives in challenging assumptions that hinder organisational aspirations, by creating innovative solutions that yield maximum impact, scalability & benefit to a wider base of stakeholders.?As a Business Coach and Organisational Consultant, Sajwani knows how to combine business insights with people insights to transform organisations and put them on the path to growth.?

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