If you don’t understand nonverbal communication, you will miss out on part of the message. Mastering nonverbal communication will enable you to be a better communicator as you get a better understanding of the nonverbal cues you and the people you communicate with are sending. Understanding these nonverbal cues helps to fully understand what the speaker is saying. So how do people communicate non-verbally? Nonverbal communication is made up primarily of facial expressions and body language. In fact, some research has shown that up to 93% of communication is nonverbal! The amount of communication that is nonverbal shows why it is so important to pay close attention to people’s actions as well as their words.
The majority of communication is nonverbal. “The most important part of communication is hearing what isn’t said.” – Peter DruckerĪlthough verbal communication is important, spoken words make up only a small part of communication. When you respond automatically, you risk saying something you don’t mean and possibly offending the other personįorms of Communication – Nonverbal Communication
It is important to note that there is a difference between simply hearing and listening. In order to be an effective communicator you must first learn to be a good listener. When people don’t listen to each other, the entire communication process breaks down. Listening is a crucial skill in the workplace. When you listen to someone speak, you are engaged with them, and making an effort to understand exactly what they are trying to say. Listening is not the same as simply hearing. This may come as a surprise, but often times listening is the most important part of communicating.