Silence! Non-verbal Communication in the Workplace

We all use two languages to convey a message. The language we speak in and body language. The silent language that we tend to forget about most of the time. Body language impacts how others perceive you and how you present yourself. Social psychologist, Amy Cuddy said in a TED Talks video that body language impacts how others perceive us and how we present ourselves.

Not everything we say at work is important, but the non-verbal signals you send communicate a great deal to your boss and colleagues. While your verbal and written communication abilities are clearly important, your non-verbal communication in the workplace can impact your career prospects. So how can you improve your non-verbal behavior in the workplace?

Eye contact
Making eye contact with the person you are engaging with shows that you are present and interested in what they have to say. Which will make them feel that what they are saying is important and it is also considered the ultimate form of respect.

Body posture 
While eye contact is the most critical non-verbal cue, body posture speaks just as many volumes too. Sitting up straight and lifting a chin demonstrates confidence, while slouchy shoulders and a faced-down head suggest you are unsure about yourself and your abilities.

Remember to always be mindful of your gestures during meetings, especially if you are feeling bored, irritated, or anxious.

Reading body language
Being able to read body language you will need to have the ability to listen with your eyes and ears and pay attention to people's posture, hand movements, and eye contact. To interpret gestures, facial expressions and posture allow a sneak peek into a person’s true emotional status. Such insight can give you a definite advantage on the job. Review the basics of body language then observe the emotional signals that others give off long before any words are spoken. With practice, you can become a proficient reader.

Mastering the ability to read other people’s body language will also give you more confidence and skill in handling social and business interactions.

Watch yourself
In addition to your eye contact and body posture, how you present yourself also plays a big part in your non-verbal communication in the workplace. Always make sure your attire is clean and neat. Don’t forget that a smile brings together any outfit.

Your body language can have an important impact on the success of your career. Take note of your and others' body language and positioning for the next 5 days. Build up an awareness of your own behavior as it will help you to better identify and read someone else whilst ensuring you reflect the correct image.

Job hunting? Your non-verbal language is crucial when interviewing too and you might feel a little bit nervous. For more insights on preparing yourself for an interview, check out this post on: Nervous about your job interview?

Let us connect you with some of the top employers in South Africa. Contact us now!