The Effects of Nonverbal Communication on our Social and Career Success - Term Paper Example

Nonverbal Communication Before going into the discussion regarding effects of nonverbal communication on our social and career success, let us get a better understanding of what nonverbal communication actually is. Nonverbal communication is a type of communication, which involves use of hands and gestures in order to convey some message to the other person. In nonverbal communication, speaking abilities of a person are over-shadowed by the use of gestures and body language. People make more use of nonverbal expressions in order to make the communication process more effective and reliable. Nonverbal communication is sometimes more successful as compared to verbal mode of communication. “Employees should keep remember that it is more than just the spoken word that is communicated with co-workers” (Rothbauer-Wanish). Nonverbal communication also plays a more expressive, effective, and meaningful role in the transfer of information as compared to verbal communication. “If you fail to gesture while speaking, you may be perceived as boring, stiff and unanimated” (Ritts). Martinez states, “When speaking in a weak tone, your voice may convey nervousness or a lack of interest”. Therefore, it is very important for a person to make use of nonverbal communication because it reflects the personality of that person. Some of the most influencing ways of nonverbal communication include gestures, eye contact, body language, postures, facial expressions, and tone of voice of a person. Hopkins states, “Good eye contact helps your audience develop trust in you, thereby helping you and your message appear credible”. People make use of these ways of nonverbal communication to transmit any kind of information to the other people in an appropriate manner. “Accent, Intonation, Pitch, Speed of Delivery and Clarity are factors attributing to non-verbal communication” (Jain). Dressing style and outlook of a person should also be impressive in order to make the communication effective, meaningful, and result-oriented. Effects of Nonverbal Communication on Social Success Nonverbal communication plays a vital role in the social success of a person. Let us discuss some of the most influencing effects of nonverbal communication on social success of a person. Effect on Personality Personality of a person plays an integral role in the social success of a person. If a person is self-confident and self-assured, he gets success in his social life whereas a person with low level of confidence does not get much appreciation and respect from the society. Nonverbal communication helps a person increase the level of self-confidence. The most prominent effect of nonverbal communication occurs on the personality of the person who makes use of nonverbal cues while interacting with other people. The person feels great and his confidence level grows when other people appreciate his way or style of talking. The increased level of confidence not only provides the person with social success but also provides him with success in his professional life. People Understand what is being said Another positive effect of nonverbal communication, which occurs on the person who makes use of nonverbal cues during communication, is that people begin to understand the message of the person more effectively as compared to the message of the person who does not make use of nonverbal cues. Praise and appreciation of the people living around a person plays a very important role in making the person achieve success in all fields of life. Nonverbal communication highlights the actual meaning of the message being delivered by one person to another person. When people begin to understand the meanings of the messages delivered by a person, they feel good while interacting with that person which makes the person feel praised and valued in the society. Therefore, we can say that use of nonverbal cues or gestures in communication plays an effective role in making a person succeed in the society. People Value Nonverbal Communication Another important effect of nonverbal communication is that people value the person who makes use of nonverbal gestures during the process of communication. They not only praise that person but also consider his viewpoint during different decision-making processes. It is because a person, who makes use of nonverbal cues, possesses the ability to convince other people. Style and outlook play a vital role in making a person valued by the society. People like to involve such a person in making decisions regarding different personal and professional matters. They value the advice or suggestion of the person who makes use of impressive gestures and facial expressions during communication. People Admire and Follow the Style Another positive effect of nonverbal communication is that people begin to admire and follow the style of the person who makes use of nonverbal gestures. We often see that people belonging to the media industry make use of impressive gestures and facial expressions while acting. Their style sometimes becomes so famous that people try to copy their style in order to become impressive and prominent. Therefore, we can say that nonverbal communication not only provides people with value and appreciation but also makes other people adopt the style of the person who makes frequent use of nonverbal cues and gestures during communication. Effects of Nonverbal Communication on Career Success Nonverbal communication also plays a vital role in the professional success of a person. Let us discuss some of the most influencing effects of nonverbal communication on professional success of a person. Effects on the Earnings It is evident from various researches that those people who make use of nonverbal communication for delivering messages to the other people earn 15 % more as compared to the people who do not know how to use gestures and expressions during communication. Employers find such people more dynamic and result-oriented and that is the reason why employers prefer hiring such individuals. Nonverbal communication makes the personality of the people attractive and appealing that not only helps them get success in their professional careers but also helps them earn more as compared to other people. Such people have high level of confidence and they possess the ability to impress the employers during job interviews. Therefore, we can say that use of facial expressions, eye contact, and gestures not only make a person attractive and appealing but also they make them earn more as compared to other individuals. Effects on the Opinion of the Employers Another positive effect on the career success of the people who make use of nonverbal communication is the positive opinion of the employers about them. Almost 75 % of the employers feel that the personality of the employees greatly influences the employers’ opinions about the employees. Nonverbal communication helps the individuals refine their personalities, which increase their charm and confidence. The increased charm and confidence of the employees make them popular and valued in the eyes of the employers. When an employee succeeds in developing a perfect image in the mind of his employer, the chances of promotion of that employee increase. Therefore, we can say that confident body language and use of gestures make a person achieve success in his professional life. Appreciation by the Boss Another positive effect of nonverbal communication in the workplace is the appreciation of the boss for the employee who makes use of nonverbal communication. “In today's business climate, the ability to communicate effectively is a highly prized quality in job candidates” (Nelson). The ability of the employees to express their viewpoints in an appropriate manner impresses the managers. Some employees lack the ability to express themselves in front of their employers, which leaves a very negative impact on the minds of the employers. However, those people who make use of facial expressions and gestures during communication possess the ability to express their viewpoints in an appropriate manner to their employees. This ability makes them valued in the eyes of their employees, which helps them achieve success in their professional lives. Difference between Male and Female Successes In most of the societies, male are usually considered more dominant and powerful as compared to women. Men openly express their emotions and feelings whereas women do not feel confident enough to express what they feel. This gender difference also plays its role in the career success of both men and women. Expressing something using nonverbal sues plays a vital role in determining the success of a person. Men are usually more expressive and confident and that is the reason why we see most of the good jobs occupied by men whereas women are usually suppressed by the society and they are not given much confidence by the society to express and show what they are. That is why majority of the women remain behind in their professional fields. Conclusion Summing it up, nonverbal communication is a type of communication, which involve use of hands and gestures to convey meaningful messages to other people. Nonverbal communication involves use of gestures and facial expressions as well as dressing style and outlook of the people involved in the process of communication. Nonverbal communication plays a vital role in the social and career success of a person. Therefore, people should learn the ways to use nonverbal cues and gestures not only to transfer information in an appropriate manner but also to gain social and career success in life. Works Cited Hopkins, Lee. “Nonverbal Communication in Business.” Ezinearticles.com, 16 Nov. 2004. Web. 02 Dec. 2010. . Jain, Rupal. “Impact of Non-Verbal Communication.” Ezinearticles.com, 28 May 2008. Web. 02 Dec. 2010 . Martinez, Ashley. “Body Language - Non Verbal Communication.” Ezinearticles.com, 11 Jan. 2010. Web. 02 Dec. 2010. . Nelson, Lauren. “The Advantages of Oral, Written & Nonverbal Communication in the Business Field.” Ehow.com, 11 May 2010. Web. 02 Dec. 2010. . Ritts, Vicki. “Six Ways to Improve your Nonverbal Communication.” Hawaii.com, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2010. . Rothbauer-Wanish, Heather. “Nonverbal Communication in the Workplace.” Suite101.com, 27 May 2009. Web. 02 Dec. 2010. . Read More