nonverbal communication

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NonverbalNonverbal

CommunicationCommunication

Basic InformationBasic Information

Vocal QualitiesVocal Qualities

Body CharacteristicsBody Characteristics

Environmental CuesEnvironmental Cues

What is Nonverbal What is Nonverbal

Communication?Communication?

�� ““ItIt’’s not what you say, its not what you say, it’’s s how how you say ityou say it””

�� There areThere are three (3) categoriesthree (3) categories of of nonverbal communication:nonverbal communication:

1.1. Vocal QualitiesVocal Qualities

2.2. Body CharacteristicsBody Characteristics

3.3. Environmental CuesEnvironmental Cues

Why is NonverbalWhy is Nonverbal

Communication Important?Communication Important?

�� ItIt’’s s related to your verbalrelated to your verbal

messagesmessages

��Reinforces Reinforces ““Hi!Hi!”” and wavingand waving

��Contradicts Contradicts ““Hi!Hi!”” and grimacingand grimacing

��Substitutes Substitutes Waving = greetingWaving = greeting

�� It It conveys the emotionconveys the emotion you feltyou felt

Characteristics ofCharacteristics of

Nonverbal CommunicationNonverbal Communication

�� CulturalCultural

��Gestures & behaviors can Gestures & behaviors can vary vary

from one culture to another from one culture to another

cultureculture

��Culture = ethnicity, race, Culture = ethnicity, race,

religion, regional differencesreligion, regional differences



�� ContextualContextual

��Meaning of gestures & Meaning of gestures &

behaviors might behaviors might vary according vary according

to the contextto the context of an interactionof an interaction

��Context = the who, what, and Context = the who, what, and

why of an interactionwhy of an interaction



�� AmbiguousAmbiguous

��Meaning of gestures & Meaning of gestures &

behaviors can behaviors can vary from person vary from person

to personto person

��Ambiguous = vague; having Ambiguous = vague; having

more than one meaning; open more than one meaning; open

to multiple interpretationsto multiple interpretations



�� SubconsciousSubconscious

��We We dondon’’t realizet realize the impact our the impact our

gestures & behaviors have on gestures & behaviors have on

our interactionsour interactions

��Subconscious = to be unaware Subconscious = to be unaware

of or to do something of or to do something

unknowinglyunknowingly

How Can Nonverbal How Can Nonverbal

Communication Help YouCommunication Help You

�� Create a Create a positive and positive and

professional imageprofessional image to to

othersothers

��Look & sound Look & sound

confidentconfident

��Appear poised & Appear poised &

assertiveassertive

Three Categories ofThree Categories of


�� Vocal Qualities: Vocal Qualities: How your voice How your voice

sounds & is projectedsounds & is projected

�� Body Characteristics: Body Characteristics: How your How your

posture, body, and facial posture, body, and facial

expressions appear to othersexpressions appear to others

�� Environmental Cues: Environmental Cues: Various Various

elements that impact the elements that impact the

impression you make to othersimpression you make to others

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Vocal QualitiesVocal Qualities

�� LLaughteraughter

�� VVolumeolume

�� VVocalizationsocalizations

�� RRateate

�� PPauses/ Silenceauses/ Silence

�� PPitchitch

�� IInflectionnflection

�� TToneone

Vocal QualitiesVocal Qualities�� VolumeVolume

�� Can everyone in Can everyone in

the room hear the room hear

what I am what I am

saying?saying?

�� Loudness or Loudness or

softness of voicesoftness of voice

�� Practice in your Practice in your

speaking roomspeaking room

�� Rehearse the Rehearse the

speech out loudspeech out loud

�� RateRate

�� Am I speaking Am I speaking

too slowly/too too slowly/too

quickly?quickly?

�� Slowness or Slowness or

rapidness while rapidness while

speakingspeaking

�� Slower than Slower than

conversational conversational

rate of speakingrate of speaking

�� VocalizationsVocalizations ““fill infill in”” silencesilence

�� Too many vocalizations reduce the Too many vocalizations reduce the

effectiveness of your presentationseffectiveness of your presentations

�� Sounds: Hmm, Uh, Um, Er, Ah, Sounds: Hmm, Uh, Um, Er, Ah,

Huh, OhHuh, Oh

�� Words: Yeah, Like, You Know, And, Words: Yeah, Like, You Know, And,

Now, But, So, Anyway, Whatever, Now, But, So, Anyway, Whatever,

Stuff, ThingStuff, Thing

VocalizationsVocalizations

Pauses/SilencePauses/Silence

�� PausesPauses can help add drama/effect can help add drama/effect

to a presentationto a presentation

�� Pauses can be used to recall Pauses can be used to recall

information in your presentationinformation in your presentation

�� If you forget parts of your If you forget parts of your

presentation, donpresentation, don’’t apologizet apologize

Inflection, Pitch, ToneInflection, Pitch, Tone�� These are natural variations in your These are natural variations in your

voicevoice

�� You should sound friendly, You should sound friendly,

enthusiastic, energetic, confidententhusiastic, energetic, confident

�� If there are no variations in your If there are no variations in your

voice = a boring & uninteresting voice = a boring & uninteresting

presentation = monotonepresentation = monotone

�� Variations in Variations in inflection, pitch, toneinflection, pitch, tone

make your presentation interestingmake your presentation interesting

Body CharacteristicsBody Characteristics

�� Dress/GroomingDress/Grooming

�� Facial/Eye ExpressionsFacial/Eye Expressions

�� Movements/GesturesMovements/Gestures

�� PosturePosture

Dress/GroomingDress/Grooming

�� What you wear & what you look What you wear & what you look

like is importantlike is important

�� Project a professional & positive Project a professional & positive

image (image (the 3 Csthe 3 Cs))

��ClassicClassic (style)(style)

��CleanClean (well maintained)(well maintained)

��ConservativeConservative (in good taste)(in good taste)


�� Formal ProfessionalFormal Professional

��Men: Suit, dress shirt, tie, dress Men: Suit, dress shirt, tie, dress

shoes & socks, beltshoes & socks, belt

��Women: Pant or Dress SuitWomen: Pant or Dress Suit

��Suit Colors: Black, Gray, Navy, Suit Colors: Black, Gray, Navy,

Brown, TaupeBrown, Taupe

��Use bold/contemporary colors Use bold/contemporary colors

with shirt/blouse, tie/scarfwith shirt/blouse, tie/scarf


�� Casual ProfessionalCasual Professional

��Men: Trousers/Slacks, dress Men: Trousers/Slacks, dress

shirt (with or without tie/blazer) shirt (with or without tie/blazer)

or polo shirt, dress shoes & or polo shirt, dress shoes &

socks, beltsocks, belt

��Woman: Slacks/skirt/dress; Woman: Slacks/skirt/dress;

blouse, sweater or sweater setblouse, sweater or sweater set

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Grooming TipsGrooming Tips�� Have naturalHave natural--

looking hair looking hair colorcolor

�� Avoid extreme Avoid extreme hairstyleshairstyles

�� Brush your Brush your teeth, use teeth, use mouthwash, mouthwash, have a breath have a breath mintmint

�� Men: trim & Men: trim & clean your nails clean your nails

�� Ladies: apply Ladies: apply naturalnatural--looking looking makemake--upup

�� Ladies: trim Ladies: trim your nails; use your nails; use naturalnatural--looking looking polishpolish

Other TipsOther Tips

�� Avoid too much fragranceAvoid too much fragrance

�� Minimal amount of jewelryMinimal amount of jewelry

�� Polish your shoesPolish your shoes

�� Men: polish your shoes wear trouser Men: polish your shoes wear trouser

socks; no white athletic sockssocks; no white athletic socks

�� Women: wear closedWomen: wear closed--toed or peeptoed or peep--

toe shoes; wear pantyhose if toe shoes; wear pantyhose if

necessary; beware of too much necessary; beware of too much

cleavage & short skirt/dress hemlinecleavage & short skirt/dress hemline

Facial/Eye ExpressionsFacial/Eye Expressions

�� Friendly, courteous, enthusiastic, Friendly, courteous, enthusiastic,

confidentconfident

�� Get a good nightGet a good night’’s rest to look s rest to look

and feel fresh & restedand feel fresh & rested

�� Give direct eye contact to show Give direct eye contact to show

respect as well as confidencerespect as well as confidence

PosturePosture

�� Projects selfProjects self--image to others image to others

when you are walking, sitting, or when you are walking, sitting, or

standingstanding

�� Benefits of proper postureBenefits of proper posture

��Reduces tension & fatigueReduces tension & fatigue

��Comfortable, not tenseComfortable, not tense

��Relaxed, not stressedRelaxed, not stressed

Movements/GesturesMovements/Gestures

�� Hand motionsHand motions

��Handshake during job interview Handshake during job interview

is importantis important

��Firm shake, not tight or weakFirm shake, not tight or weak

�� Feet, head/neck motionsFeet, head/neck motions

��SelfSelf--monitor your movements monitor your movements

during an interviewduring an interview

Movements/GesturesMovements/Gestures

PresentationsPresentations

�� Should add Should add

emphasis emphasis

(have a (have a

purpose)purpose)

�� Should appear Should appear

natural, not natural, not

rehearsedrehearsed

Environmental CuesEnvironmental Cues

�� FFragrance & Odorragrance & Odor

�� AArtifacts & Objectsrtifacts & Objects

�� CColorolor

�� TTerritoryerritory

�� TTouchouch

�� TTimeime

�� SSpace & Distancepace & Distance

Space & DistanceSpace & Distance

�� IntimateIntimate

�� PersonalPersonal

�� SocialSocial

�� PublicPublic

ColorColor�� Certain colors symbolize or stand Certain colors symbolize or stand

for meanings, feelings, or thingsfor meanings, feelings, or things

��Ex: Rose colors & their Ex: Rose colors & their

meaningsmeanings

��White = innocence, humilityWhite = innocence, humility

��Red = love, beautyRed = love, beauty

��Pink = appreciation, happinessPink = appreciation, happiness

��Yellow = friendship, gladnessYellow = friendship, gladness

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Artifacts & ObjectsArtifacts & Objects�� Artifacts = things you put on Artifacts = things you put on

yourself (accessories)yourself (accessories)

��JewelryJewelry

��ScarvesScarves

��BeltsBelts

��Purse/Backpack/Athletic BagPurse/Backpack/Athletic Bag

��GlovesGloves

��Hair accessoriesHair accessories

Artifacts & ObjectsArtifacts & Objects

�� Objects = things used to decorate Objects = things used to decorate

a spacea space

��Favorite, Sentimental, MemoriesFavorite, Sentimental, Memories

��PicturesPictures

��PostersPosters

��TrophiesTrophies

��BooksBooks

Fragrance & OdorFragrance & Odor�� Recall Recall memoriesmemories

��Ex: GrandmaEx: Grandma’’s houses house

�� Influence Influence emotionsemotions

��Ex: aromatherapyEx: aromatherapy

�� Make Make judgmentsjudgments about othersabout others

��Ex: type of perfume or cologneEx: type of perfume or cologne

�� Indicates cleanliness & Indicates cleanliness & hygienehygiene

��Ex: soap, body spray, cream, Ex: soap, body spray, cream, shampooshampoo

TerritoryTerritory

�� Identifying an area/item as Identifying an area/item as

““yoursyours””——my seatmy seat

�� Claiming a place/location as Claiming a place/location as

““yoursyours””——our turfour turf

�� Claiming a person as Claiming a person as ““yoursyours””——my my

girlgirl

�� Protecting your family, friends, Protecting your family, friends,

space, or belongingsspace, or belongings

TimeTime�� Time management sends Time management sends

messages about messages about how you value how you value

othersothers and and your attitude toward your attitude toward

responsibilitiesresponsibilities

�� Lateness = inconsiderate, Lateness = inconsiderate,

careless, not important, etc.careless, not important, etc.

�� Punctuality = responsible, eager, Punctuality = responsible, eager,

assertive, etc.assertive, etc.

TouchTouch

�� Establish relationshipEstablish relationship

��Intimidation/Power (sexual Intimidation/Power (sexual harassment)harassment)

��Interest (flirting; friendliness)Interest (flirting; friendliness)

�� Establish appropriateness Establish appropriateness (society/culture)(society/culture)

��HugsHugs

��Kisses (lips or cheek)Kisses (lips or cheek)

��PattingPatting

nonverbal communication

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