Non-Verbal Communication?

A lot can be communicated without using words. In fact, words are often the smallest part of the communication process. What else do we use to communicate?

Spend some time brainstorming with your group. What else do you use to understand what is being communicated. Remember we have five senses: sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell.

In a workplace we use our sight and hearing to help us decode and understand the message that someone is sending us. Sometimes the message is very clear; other times we use what we see as well as hear to help us.

Sight

What kind of clues can we pick up from looking at the person who is communicating? Can you read a person by looking at the expressions on his or her face? What about looking at the way they are sitting or standing? What kind of gestures do people make? Do you know what these signs mean? Do they have the same meaning everywhere in the world?

What other gestures do you think might be used in a workplace? Remember that some gestures are considered rude and should never be used in a workplace.

Sound

Think about a conversation that you have had with someone. In addition to the words used, were there clues about what the person was saying in how they were saying it? Could you make guesses about a person's mood, or how strongly they felt about the topic?

If you close your eyes and just listen to a person, how do you know that they are angry?

If you close your eyes and just listen to a person, how do you know that they are happy?

Work together to complete the following chart. Think about the clues that could help you understand what someone is saying.