importance of body language in communication
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Submitted toMr. Ravi Kumar Submitted by- Sajad Azeez
Roll No-MBA/8034/09
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Submitted toMr. Ravi Kumar Submitted by- Sajad Azeez
Roll No-MBA/8034/09
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Importance of Body Language in Communication
Body language is a form of non-verbal communication, which consists of bodyposture, gestures, facial expressions, and eye movements. Humans send and
interpret such signals almost entirely subconsciously.
John Borg attests that human communication consists of 93 percent body
language and paralinguistic cues, while only 7% of communication consists of
words themselves; however, Albert Mehrabian, the researcher whose 1960s work
is the source of these statistics, has stated that this is a misunderstanding of the
finding (see Misinterpretation of Mehrabian's rule). Others assert that "Researchhas suggested that between 60 and 70 percent of all meaning is derived from
nonverbal behavior."
Body language may provide clues as to the attitude or state of mind of a person.
For example, it may indicate aggression, attentiveness, boredom, relaxed state,
pleasure, amusement, and intoxication, among many other cues.
Good communication is the foundation of successful relationships, both
personally and professionally. But we communicate with much more than words.
In fact, research shows that the majority of our communication is nonverbal.
Nonverbal communication, or body language, includes our facial expressions,
gestures, eye contact, posture, and even the tone of our voice.
The ability to understand and use nonverbal communication is a powerful tool
that will help you connect with others, express what you really mean, navigate
challenging situations, and build better relationships at home and work.
The power of nonverbal communication and body language
Nonverbal communication, or body language, is a vital form of communication.
When we interact with others, we continuously give and receive countless
wordless signals. All of our nonverbal behaviorsthe gestures we make, the way
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we sit, how fast or how loud we talk, how close we stand, how much eye contact
we makesend strong messages.
The way you listen, look, move, and react tell the other person whether or not
you care and how well youre listening. The nonverbal signals you send either
produce a sense of interest, trust, and desire for connectionor they generate
disinterest, distrust, and confusion.
Understanding body language
The technique of "reading" people is used frequently. For example, the idea of
mirroring body language to put people at ease is commonly used in interviews.
Mirroring the body language of someone else indicates that they are understood.
It is important to note that while some indicators of emotion (e.g.
smiling/laughing when happy, frowning/crying when sad) are largely universal,
however in the 1990s Ekman expanded his list of basic emotions, including a
range of positive and negative emotions not all of which are encoded in facial
muscles. The newly included emotions are:
1. Amusement
2. Contempt
3. Contentment
4. Embarrassment
5. Excitement
6. Guilt
7. Pride in achievement
8. Relief
9. Satisfaction
10. Sensory pleasure
11. Shame
Body language signals may have a goal other than communication. Both people
would keep this in mind. Observers limit the weight they place on non-verbal
cues. Signalers clarify their signals to indicate the biological origin of their actions.
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Examples would include yawning (sleepiness), showing lack of interest (sexual
interest/survival interest), attempts to change the topic (fight or flight drivers).
Types of nonverbal communication and body language
There are many different types of nonverbal communication. Together, the
following nonverbal signals and cues communicate your interest and investment
in others.
Facial expressions
The human face is extremely expressive, able to express countless emotionswithout saying a word. And unlike some forms of nonverbal communication,
facial expressions are universal. The facial expressions for happiness, sadness,
anger, surprise, fear, and disgust are the same across cultures.
Body movements and posture
Consider how your perceptions of people are affected by the way they sit, walk,
stand up, or hold their head. The way you move and carry yourself communicatesa wealth of information to the world. This type of nonverbal communication
includes your posture, bearing, stance, and subtle movements.
Gestures
Gestures are woven into the fabric of our daily lives. We wave, point, beckon, and
use our hands when were arguing or speaking animatedlyexpressing ourselves
with gestures often without thinking. However, the meaning of gestures can be
very different across cultures and regions, so its important to be careful to avoid
misinterpretation.
Eye contact
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Since the visual sense is dominant for most people, eye contact is an especially
important type of nonverbal communication. The way you look at someone can
communicate many things, including interest, affection, hostility, or attraction.
Eye contact is also important in maintaining the flow of conversation and for
gauging the other persons response.
Touch
We communicate a great deal through touch. Think about the messages given by
the following: a firm handshake, a timid tap on the shoulder, a warm bear hug, a
reassuring pat on the back, a patronizing pat on the head, or a controlling grip on
your arm.
Space
Have you ever felt uncomfortable during a conversation because the other person
was standing too close and invading your space? We all have a need for physical
space, although that need differs depending on the culture, the situation, and the
closeness of the relationship. You can use physical space to communicate many
different nonverbal messages, including signals of intimacy, aggression,
dominance, or affection.
Voice
We communicate with our voices, even when we are not using words. Nonverbal
speech sounds such as tone, pitch, volume, inflection, rhythm, and rate are
important communication elements. When we speak, other people read our
voices in addition to listening to our words. These nonverbal speech sounds
provide subtle but powerful clues into our true feelings and what we really mean.
Think about how tone of voice, for example, can indicate sarcasm, anger,
affection, or confidence.
Physical expression
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Physical expressions like waving, pointing, touching and slouching are all forms of
nonverbal communication. The study of body movement and expression is known
as kinesics. Humans move their bodies when communicating because, as research
has shown, it helps "ease the mental effort when communication is difficult."
Physical expressions reveal many things about the person using them. Forexample, gestures can emphasize a point or relay a message, posture can reveal
boredom or great interest, and touch can convey encouragement or caution.
One of the most basic and powerful body-language signals is when a personcrosses his or her arms across the chest. This can indicate that a person is
putting up an unconscious barrier between themselves and others. It can
also indicate that the person's arms are cold, which would be clarified by
rubbing the arms or huddling. When the overall situation is amicable, it can
mean that a person is thinking deeply about what is being discussed. But in
a serious or confrontational situation, it can mean that a person is
expressing opposition. This is especially so if the person is leaning away
from the speaker. A harsh or blank facial expression often indicates outright
hostility.
Consistent eye contact can indicate that a person is thinking positively ofwhat the speaker is saying. It can also mean that the other person doesn't
trust the speaker enough to "take their eyes off" the speaker. Lack of eyecontact can indicate negativity. On the other hand, individuals with anxiety
disorders are often unable to make eye contact without discomfort. Eye
contact can also be a secondary and misleading gesture because cultural
norms about it vary widely. If a person is looking at you, but is making the
arms-across-chest signal, the eye contact could be indicative that
something is bothering the person, and that he wants to talk about it. Or if
while making direct eye contact, a person is fiddling with something, even
while directly looking at you, it could indicate the attention is elsewhere.Also, there are three standard areas that a person will look which represent
different states of being. If the person looks from one eye to the other than
to the forehead, it is a sign that they are taking an authoritative position. If
they move from one eye to the other than to the nose, that signals that
they are engaging in what they consider to be a "level conversation" with
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neither party holding superiority. The last case is from one eye to the other
and then down to the lips. This is a strong indication of romantic feelings.
Disbelief is often indicated by averted gaze, or by touching the ear orscratching the chin. When a person is not being convinced by what
someone is saying, the attention invariably wanders, and the eyes will stareaway for an extended period.
Boredom is indicated by the head tilting to one side, or by the eyes lookingstraight at the speaker but becoming slightly unfocused. A head tilt may
also indicate a sore neck or Amblyopia, and unfocused eyes may indicate
ocular problems in the listener.
Interest can be indicated through posture or extended eye contact, such asstanding and listening properly.
Deceit or the act of withholding information can sometimes be indicated bytouching the face during conversation. Excessive blinking is a well-known
indicator of someone who is lying. Recently, evidence has surfaced that the
absence of blinking can also represent lying as a more reliable factor than
excessive blinking.
Some people use and understand body language differently, or not at all.
Interpreting their gestures and facial expressions (or lack thereof) in the context
of normal body language usually leads to misunderstandings andmisinterpretations (especially if body language is given priority over spoken
language). It should also be stated that people from different cultures can
interpret body language in different ways.
How prevalent is non-verbal communication in humans?
Some researchers put the level of nonverbal communication as high as 80 percent
of all communication when it could be at around 50-65 percent. Different studies
have found differing amounts, with some studies showing that facial
communication is believed 4.3 times more often than verbal meaning, and
another finding that verbal communication in a flat tone is 4 times more likely to
be understood than a pure facial expression. Albert Mehrabian is noted for
finding a 7%-38%-55% rule, supposedly denoting how much communication was
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conferred by words, tone, and body language. However he was only referring to
cases of expressing feelings or attitudes.
Body language and space
Interpersonal space refers to the psychological "bubble" that we can imagine
exists when someone is standing too close to us. Research has revealed that there
are four different zones of interpersonal space.
The first zone is called intimate distance and ranges from touching to abouteighteen inches (46 cm) apart. Intimate distance is the space around us that
we reserve for lovers, children, as well as close family members and friends,
and also pet animals.
The second zone is called personal distance and begins about an arm'slength away; starting around eighteen inches (46 cm) from our person and
ending about four feet (122 cm) away. We use personal distance in
conversations with friends, to chat with associates, and in group
discussions.
The third zone of interpersonal space is called social distance and is thearea that ranges from four to eight feet (1.2 m - 2.4 m) away from you.
Social distance is reserved for strangers, newly formed groups, and new
acquaintances.
The fourth identified zone of space is public distance and includes anythingmore than eight feet (2.4 m) away from you. This zone is used for speeches,
lectures, and theater; essentially, public distance is that range reserved for
larger audiences.
Unintentional gestures
Recently, there has been huge interest in studying human behavioral clues that
could be useful for developing an interactive and adaptive human-machine
system. Unintentional human gestures such as making an eye rub, a chin rest, a
lip touch, a nose itch, a head scratch, an ear scratch, crossing arms, and a finger
lock have been found conveying some useful information in specific context.
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Some researchers have tried to extract such gestures in a specific context of
educational applications. In poker games, such gestures are referred to as "tells"
and are useful to players for detecting deception or behavioral patterns in an
opponent(s).
Body Language in Workplace
When working with other people, verbal communication is only one way that you
show others emotion, approval, disappointment and confidence. How you walk,
how you position yourself when talking and how you use your facial expression
are all cues that other people rely on when making assessments about your
abilities and current state of mind.
Using Body Language in the Workplace
The more you understand body language and its affect on others, the better you
will be in communicating with co-workers, bosses, clients, vendors and others you
encounter during the day. By making simple adjustments to your posture, facial
expressions and mannerisms, you can improve the way others view you.
Assessing how people view you is necessary in order to make changes.
Ask those around you whose opinion you can trust to determine where
improvements need to be made.
Adjustments can include the following:
* Maintaining a relaxed posture while walking or during a meeting. Relaxed
posture indicates you're comfortable in your surroundings and not under stress.
Even if you experience stress while working on a project, when you reduce the
appearance of stress, those around you will feel more comfortable and will have
more faith in your abilities to lead, delegate responsibility and manage the
project.
* Mannerisms such as fidgeting, moving around a room while talking, breaking
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eye contact with others frequently and other bodily quirks you have can be seen
as a distraction to those around you. These mannerisms can make you appear
anxious, unprepared, unorganized, and stressed even if you're not. Learn how to
control these mannerisms by taking note of when they occur, how often they
occur, and consider ways to alter them. Many times, mannerisms are just oldhabits that need to be broken.
* Learning how to control your facial expressions can help you become more
successful in the workplace. If people often ask if you're upset or angry, it may be
because you're constantly frowning or you appear sad. Change your facial
expressions by practicing in the mirror. Find an expression that is relaxed and
calm and make an attempt to wear it as often as possible around others. Once
you're learned how to use your body language to communicate more effectively
in the workplace, you will notice a change in how others react to you.
Assessing the Body Language of Others
If you're always the last person in the office to know when something is wrong,
then maybe you need to pay closer attention the signals others are sending
through their body language.
Noticing how people walk, how they carry themselves and how their faces appear
during the day can provide you with many clues. Even though they may be
sending the wrong signals, you should still take note of them so you can assess
situations more confidently instead of relying on the perceptions of others.
Becoming more observant of body language when hiring new employees can also
help you choose the right candidates for positions available. Take notice of howthey present their resume to you, how they sit and how their facial expressions
change as they talk about prior job experiences. Use your observations in
conjunction with their resume and references to determine if they are right for
the company you work for.
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Body Language: A Key to Success in the Workplace
One problem with body language is it may not convey what you really feel. For
example, keeping your hands stiffly by your side or stuck in your pockets can give
the impression that you're insecurewhether you are or not.
Avoiding looking at peoplemaybe simply because you're too busy consulting
your notes or your rsumcan lead people to think you're being less than
honest with them. You may be slouching because you're tired, but people may
read it as a sign that you're not interested.
Conversely, strong and effective body language can help establish an immediate
rapport with your audience, signaling confidence in your message. Look atphotographs of Ronald Reagan. He carried himself impeccably even on the back
of a horse at his ranch. He had an aura of confidence, optimism and power.
The Eyes Have It
People want to feel special. They want to feel as though you are speaking to them
directly or that they are the most important person in the room during your
conversation. Breaking eye contact is a surefire way to break the connection.
During presentations, mentally split the room into thirds. Address some of your
comments to one side of the room, turn your attention to the middle, and then
look to the last section. Pick out one person in each section and direct your
comments toward that person. The people surrounding that person will think you
are making direct eye contact with them.
Maintaining eye contact throughout your presentation requires preparation. The
material on your slide should be committed to memory; otherwise you will be
stuck reading instead of connecting. Make sure you know what's in your rsum
or notes so you're not constantly referring to them.
Don't let anything come between you and your listeners. Crossing your arms,
standing behind a podium or chair, or talking to someone from behind a
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computer monitor are all examples of blocking, which prevents a real connection
from taking place.
Think openness. Remove physical barrierspodiums, computers, chairs. Even a
folder on a desk can break the connection and create distance.
Animate Yourself
When you're speaking, let your hands do some of the talking. Great speakers use
hand gestures more than on average. A professor who studies body language
once told me that complex gesturestwo hands above the waistreflect
complex thinking. Gestures give the listener confidence in the speaker.
Try this: Watch people such as Bill Clinton, Colin Powell, Barack Obama, Tony Blairor any number of charismatic speakers. You will immediately begin to notice that
they punctuate nearly every sentence with a hand gesture. C-SPAN carries weekly
debates between British Prime Minister Blair and members of the House of
Commons. Watch it once and you will never doubt the importance of effective
hand gestures.
And move the rest of your body, too. Great speakers move around the room,
pointing to a slide instead of reading from it, placing their hands on someone'sshoulders instead of keeping their distance. Don't animate your slidesanimate
your body!
Standor sittall. Poor posture is often associated with a lack of confidence or a
lack of engagement or interest. For example, during a job interview, leaning back
in your chair can give the impression that you're lazy, unmotivated, or
dispassionate about the position. Keep your head up and back straight. Lean
forward when seated. By sitting toward the front of your chair and leaning
forward slightly, you will look far more interested, engaged, and enthusiastic.
It's All Learnable
I once worked with a client preparing for a major presentation to his company's
largest investors. His body language was a messeyes cast downward, hands
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awkwardly tucked in his pockets, swaying back and forth. This guy was a poster
boy for poor body language. He seemed insecure and out of his league.
By showing him a videotape of what he looked like and working on eye contact,
hand gestures, animation, posture and staying open, this executive went on to
rock the house during his presentation. He made solid eye contact with
everybody in the room, he pulled his hands out of his pockets and used
purposeful, assertive hand gestures. His posture and stance exuded power,
confidence, and competencehe had charisma.
So work on your body language. Pay as much attention to it as the words you use,
and watch your influence soar!
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