Studies reveal that we only communicate as little as 7 percent of information in our interpersonal interactions through dialogue. The rest of the 93 percent is expressed through silent means in what is commonly referred to as non-verbal communication. These comprise of various aspects including facial expressions, posture and eye contact. The aforementioned features of non-verbal communication are most relevant in determining a speaker’s credibility.
Eye contact is the most commonly known form of silent communication. There have been many references on how one speaks through the eyes. Maintaining eye contact is the primary method of indicating attention and interest in any dialogue or conversation. The duration of the gaze also signifies how much you value their presence. Failing to make or maintain eye contact can conversely be construed to mean disinterest. Establishing eye contact is perhaps the best way for a speaker to build rapport with listeners ( Ašanin, Ritonija, & Vukasovič, 2016).
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Another common form of silent communication is through facial expressions. Research shows that humans are able to make at least 10,000 facial expressions which convey specific messages such as agony, happy, sad or confident. As a speaker, one should thus strive to use the appropriate facial expressions in order to build a good rapport and confidence with their audience ( Ašanin, Ritonija, & Vukasovič, 2016) . One should be have the ability to reassure the listener.
Posture denotes how the body is positioned and is quite significant in creating first impressions. Posture can be seen in how you position yourself when standing or sitting. Depending on how you do it, one can exude different impressions. When a speaker keeps your back straight and holds their head high, it conveys confidence and strength. When they slouch back or face the floor, it exhibits weakness and uncertainty ( Nishida et al., 2014) .
Generally speaking, to be an effective communicator, a speaker needs to be aware of the different ways in which he or she conveys signals and be in control of them. Understanding these non-verbal cues not only helps one be a better communicator but also a better listener.
References
Nishida, T., Nakazawa, A., Ohmoto, Y., Mohammad, Y., & SpringerLink (Online service). (2014). Conversational Informatics: A Data-Intensive Approach with Emphasis on Nonverbal Communication . Tokyo: Springer.
Ašanin, G. P., Ritonija, N., & Vukasovič, T. (2016). The importance of professional skills for professional development in the fields of innovative management, leadership, and communication . (ICSD 2016, 6-11.)
