This lesson focuses on improving non-verbal communication, which includes gestures, eye contact, facial expressions and posture.
Gestures, eye-contact, and other non-verbal signals are just as important in speaking as are the right words. In fact, 70% of communication is non-verbal! How good do you think you are at non-verbal communication?
This lesson will hit the delivery section of the GBC (and this course). If your student is a GBC-taker, you can mention that non-verbal communication (gestures, eye-contact, etc.) is what the GBC examiner is looking for when they grade "delivery."
Here are a few phrases. What gestures would you use to communicate these phrases?
- I don’t know!
- I have two ideas for this project.
- No, I haven’t had the time to finish yet.
- Yes, you’re absolutely right.
- I want that one, not the other one.
- Let’s think about this together and come up with a solution.
There are multiple ways to communicate this, but here are some ideas:
- I don’t know!—a shrug of the shoulders, or with hands.
- I have two ideas for this project.—holding up two fingers.
- No, I didn’t have the time to finish yet.—shaking your head.
- Yes, you’re absolutely right.—nodding vigorously.
- I want that one, not the other one.—nodding as you point to one, then shaking your head as you point to the other.
- Let’s think about this together and come up with a solution.—gesturing “come” as you smile.
There are multiple methods of non-verbal communication. A few are:
- Eye contact
Straight eye contact shows confidence, but it also shows that you’re telling the truth. People usually look away when they’re uncomfortable, lying, or not sure about what they’re saying.
- Hand gestures
“Talk with your hands”—people often perceive those who talk with their hands as being warm, inviting, and agreeable. It also helps the listener understand what the person is trying to say.
- Facial expressions
Show the facial expression that matches what you’re saying. For example, don’t smile when talking about something you failed in!
- Physical appearance
Think about your posture. For example, if you’re sitting slouched over, your head resting in your hands, and arms on the desk, you’ll look bored. If you cross your arms and your legs, you might be perceived as being closed off and shy. On the other hand, sitting up straight, using gestures, and smiling, could all show earnestness.
As you guide your students through this section, give them examples, or ask them to consider the situations.
1. Eye contact
If your student has a child, ask them how they know when the child is lying. Alternatively, ask them if they've ever played poker—how do you know when someone's bluffing (pretending to have better cards than they actually do)?
2. Hand gestures
Ask your student if they've ever noticed how English-speakers "speak with their hands." Or ask them to watch you as you teach—they should notice that you speak with your hands (and don't worry—you probably do, without really noticing it!)
3. Facial expressions
Some people smile when they're talking about something sad or something that bothers them. Others look angry when they don't mean to. Ask your student about facial expressions—do they take care to notice what their faces are saying?
4. Physical appearance
Evaluate your student's current posture (or your own) with your student. What does it say?
You are pitching a project to your manager. Read the following dialogue along with your teacher. Use as much non-verbal communication as you can.
Manager: So, tell me about your problem.
You: Well, I was speaking with Steven yesterday. He said some rude things about our clients. I don’t believe this attitude contributes to a respectful workplace. To be fair, we’ve had issues with these clients, but speaking about them in such a tone and attitude can really hurt the deal.
Manager: I agree with you on that. What do you think I should do?
You: Well... Could we hold a discussion with the whole team where we could air our grievances and then talk about solutions?
Manager: That’s a great idea. I’ll send out an email.
How did it go? Did you use as much non-verbal communication as you did verbal?
At-home study: Watch Nick Morgan talk about non-verbal communication on "Take Control of Your Nonverbal Communication", from Harvard Business Review.