Many people have been taught that nonverbal communication is about 93% of all of our communication – making it the most important aspect of communicating. This is being disputed, though. Some believe that it’s a bit more complicated than that. Those who are questioning the statistic say that it’s too difficult to determine how much of our communication is verbal and nonverbal. It’s also important to note that both types go hand in hand.
Despite this, we can all agree that nonverbal communication is still important in getting our point across and having a productive conversation. We need to make sure that we’re not coming off aggressive nor submissive. We want to be heard and let the other person know that we’re listening. This is best way that you can come to agreements, let your opinion be understood, and express yourself.
So how can you communicate with your coworkers, employees, and bosses in the most effective manner? Of course, it’s a must to be able to vocalize your thoughts in a diplomatic manner. But what about your nonverbal communication? Here are ten ways that you can work on this:
- Maintain eye contact
- Acknowledge when the other person speaks, such as a nod
- Control your facial expressions
- Do not raise your voice
- Sit up and back, instead of leaning forward
- Uncross your arms
- Minimize animated hand gestures
- Avoid being in someone’s personal space
- Speak slowly and clearly
- Pay attention to your tone of voice
