EAPM4000 - Professional Communication: Non-Verbal Reflection Report

This report is a structured reflection on nonverbal communication, a topic covered in a professional communication course (EAPM4000). The report begins with an overview of nonverbal communication, explaining its various aspects such as body language, facial expressions, and personal space, and highlighting its significance in conveying messages and emotions. The author then details their personal interest in the topic, emphasizing the insights gained regarding the power of unspoken cues and the ability to interpret and control nonverbal signals. The report further discusses the practical applications of nonverbal communication in present or future careers, particularly focusing on influencing negotiations, leading teams, and creating positive impressions through controlled body language and emotional intelligence. The conclusion underscores the importance of understanding and utilizing nonverbal cues to enhance professional conduct and build effective relationships. The report is based on in-class activities and relevant academic sources.

Professional communication
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Contents
Introduction...................................................................................................................3
Overview of non-verbal communication.......................................................................3
Reasons for interest in nonverbal communication and key take aways from it...........4
Application of nonverbal communication to present or future career...........................5
Conclusion....................................................................................................................6
References...................................................................................................................8
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Introduction
Communication is the exchange of information between a sender and receiver
(Brounstein, 2013). Being able to communicate in a coherent manner is an important
like skill. Proper communication skills are required to lead a good and successful
personal as well as professional life (Guffey, 2014). In the professional sense
communication and communication skills refer to the ways in which we speak, write,
listen and respond with in our work place.
Good professional communication skills are vital to the conduct of an efficient and
healthy work relationship (Brounstein, 2013). Communication in business and life
can be of four types. These are written, verbal, nonverbal and visual communication
(Guffey, 2014). Non verbal communication was a topic of discussion under the
subject matter in class. I found this topic very interesting as it involved use of
unspoken gestures and involved an understanding of such gestures. Following is a
discussion of nonverbal communication.
Overview of non-verbal communication
Nonverbal communication is the mode of communication that involves transmission
of information between sender and receiver without the use of words; either written
or spoken (Brounstein, 2013). Nonverbal communication message is transmitted
through non-linguistic signals known as nonverbal cues (Guffey, 2014). Some of
them are, body movements, facial expressions, physical appearance of the
communicator, the environment or the setting of the communication taking place,
personal space cues and touch. Nonverbal cues may be used to communicate a part
or whole of a message. These cues can be intentional or unintentional.
Nonverbal communication helps to reinforce or contradict what is communicated in
words (Guffey, 2015). For example, a person may say ‘I am fine’ and have a sad
expression on his face. This may mean that he is not really fine. Or a person may
nod his head in agreement meaning an emphatic yes. Therefore, nonverbal
communication cues give an insight into the real feelings and emotions of a person
(Mehrabian, 2017). These cues also help to provide feedback to the sender
regarding agreement, disagreement or other state of mind of the receiver after
receiving the message.
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Non-verbal communication may be conscious or unconscious (Hall, et al., 2019).
Facial expressions are difficult to control as we cannot see ourselves while we give
expressions. Therefore, facial expressions may communicate the inner feelings of a
person which he may be trying to hide through his spoken words (Jerome, 2018).
Therefore, some experts consider nonverbal communication as an extremely potent
and truthful mode of communication.
In a professional setting nonverbal communication cues like body language, facial
expressions, eye contact, space and physical touch have various implications
(PeleckienÄ & Polajeva, 2016). Non verbal cues have a huge impact on the outcome
of a communication in the professional sphere. Non verbal communication impacts
the interaction with co-workers, superiors and customers (Phi, 2012). Correct and
positive non verbal cues like polite and calm face expression, positive body language
and sense of personal space can go a long way in creating healthy relations in the
workplace.
A calm, controlled and confident employee can help a company in negotiations,
sales deals and business meetings through his gestures and confident body
language cues (Santer, 2016). Attitudes of managers and employees is mostly
deciphered through nonverbal cues. Co-workers can catch emotional cues like
disagreement, dissent, happiness etc through gestures and body movement (Eaves,
2017). Therefore, it is very important to use positive non verbal cues in the
workplace to maintain healthy and effective work relationships.
Reasons for interest in nonverbal communication and key take aways from it
After studying nonverbal communication, I realised that communication is not just
about spoken or written words but it is also about what is not said (Hall, et al., 2019).
The most interesting thing about nonverbal communication is that it gives an insight
into shared cues between people which highlight or emphasise what is being
spoken. Before reading about this concept I had no idea that a glance, an eye
contact or even a touch can convey messages which a hundred words cannot
(PeleckienÄ & Polajeva, 2016). The potency of nonverbal communication in
message transmission is something which greatly interested me.
Another reason for my interest in this topic was that non verbal communication
process highlights true feelings and emotions of people (Mehrabian, 2017). It is easy
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to fake words but it is very difficult to fake body language. Hence, non verbal cues
help in understanding the real meaning behind a person’s words. Additionally,
nonverbal cues help a person in understanding more about the person who is
sending a message. Implied meaning of a conversation can be deciphered from
nonverbal cues (Jerome, 2018). For example, animosity or disagreement between
people in a business meeting can be judged from gestures and body language of
people even if they are not showing disagreement through words. Therefore, the
concept of nonverbal communication greatly interested me.
Another interesting part about non verbal communication in a professional setting is
that there are techniques and methods which have been designed by experts to
control messages projected by nonverbal cues (Santer, 2016). For example, in a
business setting there are ways to sound convincing, confident and sincere by
controlling body language cues. Certain techniques like eye contact, straight posture,
light toned voice and firm demeanour can provide a cue of confidence to people.
Therefore, such techniques which can help in controlling non verbal communication
cues also increased my interest.
Key takeaways from this topic for me were an understanding of nonverbal
communication in understanding inner feelings, emotions and implied meanings of
conversations or gestures between people in a professional setting. I also
understood the importance of body language cues like eye contact, gestures, body
posture and personal space in giving signals (Brounstein, 2013). Another important
take away was the understanding of techniques which can be used to control body
language cues so that a certain message can be given.
Therefore, an understanding of nonverbal communication made me realise the
power of this communication method in a professional setting.
Application of nonverbal communication to present or future career
Nonverbal communication focuses on the implied meanings of people’s words, their
mood and emotions (Hall, et al., 2019). In a business setting it can help in
understanding the things which are not said or directly implied by bosses and
colleagues. However, more important application of understanding of non-verbal
communication is the art of learning to control nonverbal cues and using them to
imply a clear message (Guffey, 2015). An understanding and use of correct
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nonverbal cue can help in influencing business negotiations and giving positive
impressions in business meetings and other business-related duties.
Another application of nonverbal communication is to effectively lead a team in a
managerial position. As a manager in a future career scenario, positive
understanding of body language cues can assist me in putting across a confident
body language through use of eye contact and erect posture (Eaves, 2017). If I show
a positive body language my team will trust me and follow my instructing without
reserve.
Non verbal communication is a means to provide affirmation or denial to spoken
words (Guffey, 2014). In a business situation, communication or free flow of
information can be hindered if body language cues do not match what is being said
(Eaves, 2017). Therefore, understanding of nonverbal communication can help me
as a manager to reinforce my statements in team meetings
In a business scenario good impression can be created by learning to control body
language (Eaves, 2017) .Control of body language like hand gesture, facial
expressions, appearance and tone of voice can help in giving positive impression
about the company or a brand for which a person is working (Hall, et al., 2019). In
my future career I would like to be brand ambassador for my company and positive
body language and other nonverbal cues like neat appearance, positive face
expressions, confident poise and posture will help me in achieving this goal.
In a professional setting it is very important to control inner emotions and to show
feelings of empathy, anger, sadness and happiness wherever it is required and hide
them when needed (PeleckienÄ & Polajeva, 2016). Therefore, an understanding of
nonverbal communication can help me in showing and hiding these emotions
whenever required. Hiding emotions through control of body language can also help
in negotiations in business deals. In other words, proper nonverbal cues will help me
in maintaining discretion in my business duties.
Conclusion
An understanding of professional communication methods and communication skills
help in enhancing the conduct of a person in professional settings. Nonverbal
communication is a very important aspect of communication. Nonverbal gestures
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and expressions go a long way in displaying the inner feelings of a person. An
understanding of nonverbal cues can help a professional in guessing hidden and
deep intentions of colleagues, business opponents and customers while attending a
negotiation deal or business meeting.
Nonverbal communication helps in reinforcement and substantiation of verbal
communication. On the other hand, uncontrolled nonverbal cues can also contradict
what one is saying. This is because it is difficult to camouflage emotions which show
through nonverbal cues. However, with practice a trained professional can learn to
control nonverbal cues and can use them as a positive tool in implementing business
decisions and negotiations. Therefore, it is very interesting to understand the impact
and control of nonverbal cues in a business situation.
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References
Brounstein, M., 2013. Business Communication. Rev ed. New Jersey: John Wiley &
Sons.
Eaves, M., 2017. Successful Nonverbal Communication: Principles and Applications.
NewYork: Routledge.
Guffey, M. E., 2014. Business Communication: Process and Produc. London:
Cengage Learning.
Guffey, M. E., 2015. Essentials of Business Communication. London: cengage
Learning.
Hall, J., Horgan, T. & Murphy, N., 2019. Nonverbal communication. Annual review of
psychology,, Volume 70, pp. 271-294.
Jerome, V., 2018. Business Communication: Modern Approach with Latest Syllabus.
New Delhi: Educreation Publishing.
Mehrabian, A., 2017. Nonverbal Communication. NewYork: Routledge,.
PeleckienÄ, V. & Polajeva, T., 2016. Towards sustainable entrepreneurship: role of
nonverbal communication in business negotiations. Entrepreneurship and
sustainability issues, 4(2), pp. 228-239.
Phi, S., 2012. Message Not Received: Why Business Communication Is Broken and
How to Fix It. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.
Santer, F., 2016. Nonverbal Communication. "Gestures, Postures, Movements".
Munich: GRIN Verlag.
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