Non-Verbal Communication

Communication through any means other

than words
Transmission of messages by some medium
other than speech or writing
It refers to all external stimuli like body
motion, characteristics of voice, appearance,
and space distancing
It refers to the transfer of meaning by body
language, space, time and paralanguage.

Significance of Non-verbal
Communication

Non-verbal messages reveal our emotions and

attitudes
It is quicker and easier
Gestures are used without breaking the flow
of the speaker
As a substitute for speech where words might
be regarded as too delicate or explicit.
Adds to Charisma or Style

Importance for managers/team

leaders

Team members project attitudes and feelings

(approval, growth, achievement, recognition)
through non-verbal communication.
For an open, honest unit, the team leader
should be perceptive towards these nonverbal clues.

Forms of Non-Verbal
Communication

Kinesics

Oculesics

Haptics

Proxemics

Appearance and Artifacts

Paralinguistics/Vocalics

Chronemics

Kinesics

It is the anthropological term for body

language. It is articulation of the body, or
movement resulting from muscular and
skeletal shift. It includes all actions, physical or
physiological, automatic reflexes, posture,
facial expressions, gestures and other body
movements.

Facial Expression

Neutral

Relaxed

Tense

Uplifted

Droopy

Six categories of facial expressions

Happiness

Sadness

Surprise

Fear

Anger

Disgust

Facial emblems

Poker face

Facial shrug

Posture

The right posture

Head position

Legs (Figure Four)

The angle of the body in relation to others

Body relaxation and tension

Height (slumped or slouched shoulders

Perceived Competence (Closed posture and Open

posture, inclusion and exclusion)

Slumped posture low

Erect posture high spirit

Lean forward open and interested

Lean away defensive or disinterested

Crossed arms - defensive

Uncrossed arms willingness to listen

Gestures

Gestures are observed actions

Ambiguous or unambiguous

Unnatural gestures (playing with clothing or

pen, leg and foot movement, finger tapping,
lip-licking, smiling too often show lack of
confidence).
Beneficial gestures (performed with the
hands, arms and head).

Conscious and Spontaneous

gestures

Conscious Gestures:

Emblematic (The American V-for-victory,

thumb-and-index-finger gesture that signals
okay or the thumbs up gesture
Propositional (it was this big or move that over
there)

Spontaneous Gestures

Iconic Gestures (Specify the manner in which

an action is to be carried out)
Metaphoric Gestures (the meeting went on
and on accompanied by a hand indicating
rolling motion)
Deictics (Deictics spatialize, or locate in the
physical space in front of the narrator, aspects
of the discourse)

Universal Hand Gestures

I am tired

I am hungry

After eating, I am full

I am cold

Oculesics

Eyes are your window to the world

It is the way eyes are used during a
communication exchange. May include eye
contact or avoidance of eye contact

Direct stare

Downward glances

Eyes rolled upwards

Looking away

Gazing

Serves four functions:

Regulatory

Monitoring

Cognitive

Expressive

Good eye contact enables the sender to

determine whether the receiver is paying
attention, showing respect, responding
favourably or feeling distress. From receivers
perspective, good eye contact reveals the
speakers sincerity, confidence, and
truthfulness.

Haptics

Haptics or tactile communication or touch is

an important form of communication.
Important to convey warmth, comfort,
reassurance.
A handshake, touching someones feet, folding
of arms, an arm around the shoulder, a kiss or
a hug
Reaction will be based on cultural background,
age, gender, and the context itself.

Proxemics

Spatial relationships
It is the study of the nature, degree, and effect
of the spatial separation individuals naturally
maintains.
Personal space is the territory between
yourself and others

Standing too close pushy

Standing or sitting too far keeping your
distance

Four categories of space

Intimate distance for whispering

Personal distance for conversations among
close friends
Social distance for conversations among
acquaintances
Public distance used for public speaking

The higher your position in an organization-

The more and better space you will have

The better protected your territory will be

The easier it will be to invade the territory of

lower status personnel

Appearance and Artifacts

Dressing up and Dressing down (Depends on

type of work, geography, culture)
Clothing, grooming and accessories tells about
your status, personality, credibility and
capability.

Paralanguage/Vocalics

Tone/attitude (direct, commanding, loud,

harsh, derisive, disguised soft, gentle,
boisterous, comforting etc.)
Voice inflection/emphasis on key words
(stressing,stretching,pausing)
Pitchspeed of vibration of the vocal cords
(high-low)

Intensity (loudness-softness of voice)

Articulation/sounds, words are formed during

Articulation

Gonna

Woulda

Coulda

Ta

Finely

Gimmie

Importn

Ya

Dropping the gfrom any word ending in ing

Chronemics

Use of time as a message system, including

punctuality, amount of time spent with
another and waiting time