How important is body language? Dr. Albert Mehrabian in 1967 conducted two studies in which he concluded that in communication “words account for 7%, tone of voice accounts for 38%, and body language accounts for 55% of the liking.”[i] The study changed our usual perception that words are most important in communication.
The New York Times article The Definitive Book of Body Language also says that body language makes up a substantial part of our communication. Anthropologist Ray Birdwhistell, like Mehrabian “found that the verbal component of a face-to-face conversation is less than 35 percent and that over 65 percent of communication is done nonverbally.”[ii] Researchers now agree that body language is what dictates our communications, not spoken words. Here we have top 10 skills that make you master non-verbal communication.
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1 |
Know your body language, tweak it to look confident and in control | |
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2 |
Be aware of what you say and how you say it | |
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3 |
Practice speaking in the right tone, pitch and speed to persuade and express confidence | |
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Understand your emotions and that of others to gain self control | |
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Listen attentively and ask questions to enrich a conversation | |
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Study the body language of others, and manage your own verbal and non-verbal signals to create a positive, open environment | |
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7 |
Understand their communication style, listen and ask questions. Build trust by accepting differences | |
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8 |
Adopt the body language of a leader. Identify your style and evolve it | |
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9 |
Sans face-to-face communication, clarify expectations early, avoid making assumptions and explain yourself very clearly | |
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10 |
Maintain a healthy mind and body by regular exercise, taking time out, and handling difficult situations with ease |
Sources
[i]http://www.iojt-dc2013.org/~/media/Microsites/Files/IOJT/11042013-Albert-Mehrabian-Communication-Studies.ashx
[ii] http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/24/books/chapters/0924-1st-peas.html