How can an understanding of nonverbal communication make business communication more effective - Essay Example

It not only encourages the sender of the message but also helps the sender know whether he/she is going in the right direction or not. Communication is of two main types which include verbal and nonverbal communication. In verbal communication, people make use of tongue for the exchange of information whereas in the process of nonverbal communication, people make use of body language, gestures, eye contact, and appearance to send nonverbal messages to other people. Nonverbal communication plays an effective role in making the entire process of communication successful and productive.

In this paper, we will discuss how nonverbal communication plays its role in making business communication effective. 2. Nonverbal Communication If we talk about nonverbal communication, we can say that it is the process of communication in which people do not make use of tongue to transmit some information rather they use their body language to transfer a wordless message which is somewhat more effective as compared to verbal messages. “Nonverbal communication may be intentional, it may be based on societal cues, or it may be completely unconscious” (McGuigan n.d.).

Some of the main modes of nonverbal communication include gestures, body language, tone of voice, outlook, dressing style, eye contact, and different kinds of facial expressions. Nonverbal communication can either be a planned and intended form of communication or it can be without any intention of sending a message. 2.1 Proxemics “Proxemics, which was developed by anthropologist Edward Hall, is the study of how we communicate with each other through space” (Cox n.d.). It is based not only on the type of relationships that we have with the people around us but also on the type of distance between two persons involved in communication.

“The definition of non-verbal proxemics is the study of man's transactions as he perceives and uses intimate, personal, social and public space in various settings” (Rose n.d.). Four types of proxemic distances include intimate distance, personal distance, social distance, and public distance. The shortest of all four types of distances is intimate distance which is reserved for close relationships. Personal distance is usually up to 4 feet in length and is reserved for the relationships like inmates or close friends.

Social distance is usually up to 12 feet in length and is reserved for social gatherings and formal relationships. Last type of distance is public distance, which is reserved for the strangers with whom we travel in buses or meet at different places. All these types of distances play their roles in the process of nonverbal communication. “The space (or distance) between the receiver and the sender during communication has an affect on the message's delivery and interpretation” (Teoli 2008). 2.2 Kinesics Kinesics includes such gestures or motions of a person, which convey some message to other people.

These gestures include actions like outspreading hands to indicate offerings and making thumbs up in order to show appreciation or support to the other person. Gestures usually have different values in different societies. Bowing is an expression, which is criticized in the United States but reveals respect to the Japanese people. Similarly, keeping hands in the pockets is not considered a good act in the countries like Ghana, Indonesia, and Turkey. 2.3 Paralanguage Dave (2009) states,