The importance of body language
Nonverbal communication
Nonverbal communication is the process of communication through sending and receiving wordless messages, by signs and symptoms. It is performed without a syntactic structure, so it cannot be analyzed in a regular way.
It can be communicated through gestures, body language or posture, facial expression, eye contact, etc. It is important to know that in a face to face conversation 65% of the information is given with the body, is therefore very relevant to management and leadership, and to all aspects of work and business, where communications can be seen and physically observed among people.
Body language goes both ways:
Your own body language make public your feelings and meanings to others.
Other people's body language exposes their feelings and meanings to you
The sending and reception of body language signals materializes on conscious and unconscious levels.
The Posture: how to move our body when talking with another person has more meaning. An open position is the one that involves the removal of any barrier between you and the other person, the close one implies the use of arms and legs to protect your body.
The gestures: can express a variety of feelings and thoughts, from contempt and hostility to approval and affection. They can be classified into:
· Emblematic gestures: Everyone knows them
· Illustrative gestures or illustrators: To clarify or emphasize what is said, to replace a word.
· Regulatory interaction gestures are used to take over the conversation, to begin and end the interaction, for example to cede the turn of the word or shake hands.
· Gestures expressing emotional states
· Adaptation gestures: Those gestures that are used to manage the emotions that we express, help to relax and calm down, etc.
The facial expression: Express many moods and emotions, here we highlight the eyes, smile etc
Tips:
A good starting point: Salutes with an open body position
· Speak slowly
· Use variations in your tone of voice
· Use open positions
· Maintain eye contact
· Listen and think before answering
Smile
· Take into account the culture of the people with whom you communicate, this determines the contact
· Relax yourself and always stay straight
· Scroll naturally
Avoid nervous
· Avoid nervous body and facial gestures: try not to touch your nose, or licking lips
· Use the objects properly: if you're talking to someone prevents computer or cell
· Communicate friendly and with empathy to talk or give orders.