Non-verbal communication - Essay Example

Case study Non-verbal communication is an essential element of communication and indicates a communicator’s primary objectives. The type ofcommunication therefore affirms a verbally communicated message or may identify insincerity in verbal communication. In this paper, I review a case study from non-verbal communication’s perspective. Review of the case The case, ‘What in going on here,’ identifies Art Margulis, a long-term employee of a firm, who has been promoted to be the organization’s director.

He has been working in the firm for the past 19 years and has marketing academic background. Margulis is also an experienced manager who is outgoing and directly interacts with majority of the organization’s employees. He recruits Lopez into the organization as a line manager and she gets a divorce soon after her appointment. Lopez does not relate well with other employees, who believe that her divorce is a factor to her poor interpersonal relations, but her relationship with Margulis has been good and Lopez and Margulis informally discusses their projects over lunch.

The two also share an understanding of technical statistical applications in research. Margulis’ divorce has however changed his behavior towards Lopez. Eye contact in their communications has become longer and the space between them, while in face-to-face communication, has narrowed. Even though she respects him and is fond of their meetings, Lopez is concerned about his changed behavior. She has reacts by changing her trend in their interaction. This has however increased pressure from Margulis who has invited Lopez for dinner in which they could discuss a project.

Key issues in the case The case identifies a number of issues. The most significant issue is the changing relationship between Margulis and Lopez that is identifiable from Margulis behavior. Other key issues in the case are the use of spatial communication in the two parties’ interactions and application of eye contact. Space is an important element of non-verbal communication and influences both parties to a communication. With identified zones that begins from close distances that are associated with informality and intimacy and extends to further distances that define weak relationships with less intimate attachments, a party can use distance to communicate intended closeness with another.

A party that needs a more intimate interpersonal relationship will therefore narrow physical distance in communications while an individual who prefer weaker and social based relationships will ensure a wider distance (Hynes, 2010). Eye contact also communicates interest in a subject and intended focus on the subject. Establishing eye contact with an individual would communicate interest in the individual while a prolonged eye contact would mean changed attitude towards liking the person. A person’s behavioral change that relates to managing physical space in communication and duration of eye contact therefore indicates changes in attitude and emotions towards a subject (Hamilton, 2010).

Underlying issues however involve social problems, in divorce, that have faced Lopez and Margulis. This is because emotional setbacks changes people’s behavior and the changes may be positive or negative in a victim’s interpersonal relationships (Hynes, 2010). Facts that affect the issues Lopez and Margulis, according to the case, exhibits behavioral actions that communicate the above mentioned issues. Lopez, for example, is poor in developing interpersonal relationships and other employees believe that her attitude is a factor of her divorce.

Similarly, Lopez attributes Margulis’ changed behavior to his divorce process that has separated him from his two daughters. Spatial management in communication and eye contact are however illustrated by Margulis’ behavior towards Lopez and Lopez’s reaction to his advances. Margulis has prolonged eye contact when communicating to Lopes and he wants Lopez closer to him. This is contrary to what Lopez anticipates from him, make her uncomfortable and she complains to a counselor. Lopez’s divorce is also a fact that her fellow employees know of, and the case identifies Margulis’ divorce through Lopez’s account (Hynes, 2010).

Tentative solution to the problem Lopez can tentatively solve the problem by affirming her intended relationship with Margulis through non-verbal communication. She can insist on maintaining their original physical distance while communicating or can make the distance wider to inform Margulis that she is not comfortable with an intimate relationship with him. She can also avoid prolonged eye contacts with him and as well discuss his changed non verbal communication behaviors and assert her concern about them (Hamilton, 2010; Hynes, 2010).

Implications of the situation The situation is likely to strain the relationship between Margulis and Lopez. This is because Margulis is not emotionally stable, following his divorce process, and may overreact to Lopez’ actions and attitude. He may therefore use his position in the organization to intimidate on Lopez or even fire her, having had the authority to hire her. References Hamilton, C. (2010). Communicating for results: A guide for business and professions. Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning. Hynes, G. (2010).

Managerial communication: Strategies and applications. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.