Communication for the professional in you

Communication is far more complex than a simple exchange of information between people. Think about it. We’ve spent a lifetime trying to master communication (consciously and subconsciously) and yet we still struggle with it! Why is communicating so difficult? Why can’t we just communicate and be done with it?

Although there are many elements to communication, I’d like to zoom in on one element that I believe to be the most critical. It’s an element overlooked by many and butchered by many more. We’re talking about nonverbal communication. Body language! Nonverbal communication is the process of communication in which we send and receive wordless messages. It’s something we have grown accustomed to all our lives and its how we naturally communicate with the world.

In fact, research shows that the majority of our communication is nonverbal. That means we communicate with each other more without even uttering a single word! We do this with our facial expressions, our gestures, how long we maintain eye contact, our posture, how we roll our eyes, sigh, or even change the tone of our voice. We simply communicate by living!

The point is, we are always communicating. And even when we are not communicating, we are still communicating! We are sending nonverbal messages to everyone around us at all times! Becoming aware of this simple fact can help us become excellent communicators.

Gaining awareness of our body language and the body language of our peers allows us the ability to gain understanding of what it might indicate within those experiences. By doing so, we may be able to communicate more effectively with each other and enrich the entire experience.

To put this idea into perspective, take a step back and become aware of the nonverbal communication you’re exercising right now. As you’re reading my blog, notice your posture. Are you slouched? Are you sitting upright? If I were to see you reading these very words, would I think you’re engaged? Would I think you’re bored?

Taking the insight gained from this little exercise on your body language in your day to day activities, turn outward and apply what you’ve learned in other situations throughout the day. Remember to ask yourself, “What message am I sending right now?”

By Joe Lamendola

e: jlamendola@goibelieve.com

t: @joelamendola

fb: Joe Lamendola

Joe is a Senior Logistics Manager at a online retailer in Boston.