Nonverbal Communication: An Essential Skill in the Workplace

Abstract

Communication is carried on at many levels and through many channels simultaneously, and interpretation of a verbal message is dependent upon the manner in which it is conveyed and the gestures and expressions which accompany it.

Nonverbal communication has been claimed to account for up to 93% of the impact of any verbal message. There are many types of nonverbal communication, most of which are usually used unconsciously and may be interpreted in many ways, often being regarded as a more reliable source of information than the spoken word, particularly regarding emotion.

The following paper will examine the major types of nonverbal communication and their role in day to day human interaction in the workplace. It will examine the ways that understanding of the meanings of nonverbal cues can assist in both interpretation and conveyance of unspoken messages, and the role that space, the environment and other physical factors play in successful communication.