Successful Verbal and Nonverbal Communication
Presented byBusi 300/b07, liberty university
Effective Verbal Workplace Communication is:
ProductiveGoal-OrientedInteractiveLearnableObservable
What Can Hinder Effective Verbal Workplace Communication?
Slang, acronyms, and idioms:They can sound unprofessional, and can easily confuse others that are unfamiliar with them
“The ball is in your court.”“Sir, the ball is back on your knee!”
What Can Hinder Effective Verbal Workplace Communication?
Misuse of grammar or misapplied language structure:Also unprofessional, and Can easily send the wrong message
“I’m gonna write me a memo.”“You are writing a memo for just yourself?”
What Can Hinder Effective Verbal Workplace Communication?
Multi-phrase combinations:Confusing and unnecessary when one word can be used instead
Keep Up MaintainPut Off Delay
What Can Hinder Effective Verbal Workplace Communication?
Semantics and jargon:Makes it difficult for people outside the immediate work setting to understand
Trojan Horse Computer Virus
Ensure Understanding of the Verbal Message
Make it an Authentic Two-Way Communication Exchange
Obtain Frequent Feedback from Conversation Partner
Nonverbal Communication
Accounts for the majority of information content, at 90%.
Nonverbal Communication
Includes:Kinesics: body movements, gestures, sense of touchOculesics: eye contactHaptics: sense of smell
Kinesics
If culturally acceptable, handshakes are the perfect indicator of many factors about a business relationship. Strength (firm/vice/fish grip,) duration and disconnection, and accompanied gestures will distinguish who is the superior and who is the subordinateBody proximity and actions such as bowing (especially in Asia) are also indicators of status and culture
Oculesics
Like kinesics, oculesics can be an indicator of status or respect, depending on the cultural contextProlonged eye contact could be perceived as confidence, or disrespectAvoidance of eye contact could be seen as respect, or dishonesty
Haptics
How smells are interpreted are dependent on cultural contextHow a person smells (like perfume, soap, body odor, or bad breath) will indicate level of cleanliness and self-careIn some cultures, body odor is seen as natural and respected. Attempts to mask it with soaps or perfumes might portray a lack of self-confidence in some cultures
Listening:The Most Vital Nonverbal Skill
The majority of failed conversations are due to a speaker being consumed by their own words, and not by their conversation partner (i.e., talking “at” someone)
Listening:The Most Vital Nonverbal Skill
Allow a partner to enter the conversationActively listenAssess body language for queues
Nonverbal Communication Can Be Beneficial, or Harmful
Miscommunication and misunderstanding are common in the workplace, but can be preventedVerbal and nonverbal messages should be aligned- contradicting messages will easily lead to confusion
Nonverbal Communication Can Be Beneficial, or Harmful
Nonverbal messages cannot be avoided- strive for intentional versus unintentional nonverbal messagesPractice will help an individual avoid undesirable nonverbal reactions, such as eye-rolling
References
Blahova, M. (2015). Specific Role of Nonverbal Communication in Business. European Scientific Journal 11(10) pp. 9. Retrieved from: http://ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/login?url=http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA416403010&v=2.1&u=vic_liberty&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w&asid=29380f2fb728ea12277f83bee54d201e
Keyton, J., Caputo, J. M., Ford, E. A., Fu, R., Leibowitz, S. A., Liu, T., & … Wu, C. (2013). Investigating Verbal Workplace Communication Behaviors. Journal of Business Communication, 50(2), 152-169. doi:10.1177/0021943612474990
Knotts, R., & Thibodeaux, M. S. (1992). Verbal Skills in Cross-Culture Managerial Communication. European Business Review, 92(2), 3. Retrieved from: http://ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/225430343?accountid=12085
References
Lehman, C., DuFrene, D., & Walker, R. (2016). BCOM: Business Communication. Boston: Cengage Learning.
Wesson, D. A. (1992). The handshake as non-verbal communication in business. Marketing Intelligence & Planning, 10(9), 41. Retrieved from: http://ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/213124344?accountid=12085
All images used were free clipart retrieved from:https://openclipart.org