Going Nonverbal

I just ran across this interesting Yahoo article on what body posture communicates, according to sociologists and phsychologists. When I was in broadcasting school, one of the major principles I learned about communication was the importance of the nonverbal. A television camera is designed to capture not just verbal but also nonverbal motion, so if you have bad posture, facial expressions, or head movements, the camera will call you out. I'll never forget one course I took called "Interpersonal Communication" in which we students not only learned the ins and outs of asking questions but also what to do with our faces and bodies when asking and listening to the answers.  Did you know that if you nod your head three times, the interviewee is more likely to give a longer answer to your question? Also, did you know that where you cast your eyes says something about the sincerity of the question?

Nonverbal communication is very important to being understood (and not misunderstood) and being respected. What your face, arms, legs, etc. say is many times just as important as what your mouth says. You don't have to be an actor about it, just be conscious of what your body is saying and quickly correct any possible misconception.

How is your nonverbal communication? Here's the list. Feel free to compare. Looking in a mirror always helps. Click on each picture of the woman to see that section of the story.

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