Non-Verbal Communications Matter
by Gilda Bonanno

Email this article

Printer friendly page

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, your audience will
believe your non-verbals. Studies show that more than 90% of our communication is non-verbal.

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 believe your non-verbals. 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.

Copyright (c) 2008 Gilda Bonanno LLC All rights reserved
You may reprint this entire article and you must include the copyright info and the following statement "Gilda Bonanno is a speaker, trainer and coach who specializes in helping individuals and organizations break out of their comfort zones and become more successful than they thought possible. Contact her at www.gildabonanno.com."

Author's Bio
Gilda Bonanno is a trainer, speaker and coach, specializing in communication and leadership skills. She designs and delivers high-energy, client-focused training programs and workshops for corporate, academic and community clients, including Praxair, Bristol-Myers Squibb, The Hartford Insurance Company and Southern CT State University.

She is an Authorized Distributor of Inscape Publishing instruments, including DiSC® assessments, and is qualified in the administration of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator ®. She is also a certified Project Management Practitioner (PMP) and holds an Advanced Business Certificate in Management from the UConn Graduate School of Business.

Gilda is President of the Southern CT chapter of the American Society for Training and Development, a member of the National Speakers Association and active in Toastmasters International.

Subscribe to Gilda's free twice-monthly e-newsletter at www.gildabonanno.com