When you meet
someone or present to an audience, do your words match your non-verbal
communications?
If there is a disconnect between verbal
and non-verbal communications, you will confuse your audience and they may
believe only your non-verbals.
For example, imagine that a speaker shuffles to the podium,
fumbling with his pen and folder. He stares down at his notes, frowns slightly and says in
a lifeless monotone so soft that you can barely hear him, "I am
excited to be here with you today. We are going to have a fun session
together." Are you excited? Or are you running for the exit?
While his words may be correct, his non-verbal communications
strongly contradict his verbal message. His voice, facial expression, body
language and lack of eye contact broadcast a message of boredom and
anxiety.
Non-verbal communications encompass many aspects,
including:
- Voice: volume, tone, pausing, rate
- Body Language such as eye contact, facial expression,
gestures, movement and posture
When you communicate through writing, punctuation provides
cues for the reader as to your meaning and emotion. When speaking,
however, you have to use your voice and body language to provide the
punctuation for the audience.
Here are some examples of effective non-verbal communications:
- A short pause before an important
word
- An increase in volume on an
important phrase
- Moving towards the audience when
emphasizing a point
- Using your hands to make a relevant
gesture, such as indicating geographic location ("our customers are everywhere,
from Asia to South America")
How to Practice
One of the exercises that I use with communication skills classes
is to give each person an index card with a word or a simple phrase on it, such
as "fine" or "good-bye." Then each person has to
stand and deliver that word or phrase in as many different ways as he or she
can think of, varying the voice and body language each time to change the meaning.
It's amazing how words and phrases can have different meanings, depending on
the way they are expressed.
The next time you meet someone in a business setting or deliver a
presentation, remember that if your non-verbals don't match your words, the
audience will be confused and may not get your message. So while you're preparing your content, be
sure also to spend time practicing your delivery so your words will have the
effect and meaning you intend.