Non-verbal or body language is based in gestures, postures and other bodily expressions. This language will allow you to fully connect and empathize with other people to achieve totally fluid communication. The importance of non-verbal language in everyday life is evident, applying it in areas as important as work or personal.
In the following article we explain Why is nonverbal language so important in today's society? and what characteristics this kind of language will have.
What is meant by non-verbal language
Nonverbal language is a kind of communication that is based on gestures, looks and other ways of body expression. This type of language can provide the same information as verbal. It is the oldest language in history since many years ago human beings communicated exclusively through gestures and other bodily expressions. Nonverbal language can be intentional and unintentional. In this second case, the body reacts in a totally unconscious way to certain situations.
The importance of non-verbal language in the workplace
Knowing how to handle non-verbal language perfectly at work offers multiple advantages. Perfectly controlling actions such as gestures or body postures can make a great impression on people, helping to connect perfectly with them.
Non-verbal language allows you to empathize a lot with those people who receive your message. In the event that you have to expose something, you manage to fully capture the attention of others and if you are conducting a job interview, This type of language will allow you to transmit great security in your person. In this way, being able to control the various gestures or expressions will allow you to achieve the objectives set at the work level.
What are the elements of non-verbal language
Gestures
They are the movements produced by certain parts of the body. as is the case of raising your hand or shrugging your shoulders.
body postures
Body postures are other elements that make up non-verbal language. Just walking can indicate how a person is feeling and what emotional state they are in.
Expressions
The simple expression on a person's face can help tell if they are happy or sad. Expressions are usually a type of unconscious non-verbal language.
Habits
A person's habits allow us to know how they behave on a day-to-day basis. In this way, the way of dressing can offer a lot of information in relation to personality.
Looks
The looks are other of the most prominent elements of non-verbal language. A simple look can provide a lot of information about the person you are interacting with. Knowing how to control the look It is something that can benefit communication between two people.
What are the characteristics of non-verbal language
Intentional or unintentional nonverbal language
As we already indicated above, nonverbal language can be intentional or unintentional. In the case of the first, the person will use gestures or certain expressions in order to capture the attention of other people. Involuntary non-verbal language occurs when the body causes certain movements that are not consciously controlled.
can be ambiguous
Non-verbal language can generate some ambiguity, especially in the case that it occurs in an involuntary way. An example of this would be unconsciously looking away while having a conversation with another person. This averted gaze can lead to some confusion, since in principle it can transmit reluctance or boredom. However, it can also be due to an involuntary movement of the person before a certain memory.
More communicative than verbal
Non-verbal language can provide much more information than verbal. A simple gesture or look can say more than the words themselves. In a conversation, if the person sweats excessively or moves too much it can indicate that she is quite nervous, not having to say anything.
It is used constantly
Non-verbal language, as with the verbal, is present in a constant way. It is normal for people to communicate using gestures, certain expressions or looks. They are widely used to generate dialogues or conversations, so they are necessary in current communication.
Advantages of mastering non-verbal language
The person who is able to master non-verbal language and use it in an appropriate way, It has a series of advantages that we will see below:
- You don't need words to be able to communicate in an optimal and fluent way. A simple gesture or movement can be enough to achieve good communication.
- Non-verbal language is perfect when it comes to reinforcing the message that you want to convey or give. Gestures or expressions help people understand correctly what you want to conveywithout fear of being wrong.
- A simple gesture or look can help convey the person's mood. Words are not needed to make the audience understand that there is sadness or optimism before a certain fact.
- Another advantage of this type of language is the reciprocity that occurs between the interlocutors. Gestures or glances send perfect information to listeners and these in turn are also capable of transmitting said information without the use of words.
In short, it can therefore be said that non-verbal language It is very important and essential when communicating. In some moments it can become even more efficient than the different verbal expressions. Said language can be used exclusively or complement it with the verbal. In the case of using it with a single person, it is not necessary to overdo it with gestures, while if there are several receivers, the ideal and best thing is to opt for a more expressive non-verbal language.