Communication

Proximity:

Cultural norms dictate a comfortable distance for interaction with people you are not intimate with. You should look for signals of discomfort caused by invading others’ space, such as rocking, legs swinging, tapping, and gaze aversion. Very close proximity indicates confrontation and may cause anxiety.

• Eye contact:
• Eye contact is an important channel of interpersonal communication, and helps regulate the flow of communication. It increases the speaker's credibility, and conveys interest, concern, and warmth.
• If the eye contact is too direct for too long, it can become confrontational or accusing.

• Facial expressions:
• Smiling is a powerful cue, and the person that smiles is perceived as more likable, friendly, warm and approachable. Smiling is often contagious.

• Can you read meaning into the different facial expressions shown here? What is each person thinking or feeling?

• Gestures:
• Gestures communicate loud and clear! If you fail to gesture while speaking, you may be perceived as boring, stiff and unanimated. Gestures such as head nods indicate that you are listening.

• Gestures do not mean the same thing in all cultures.

• Posture and body orientation:
• You communicate numerous messages by the way you walk, talk, stand and sit. Standing erect, but not rigid, and leaning slightly forward communicates that you are approachable, receptive and friendly. Interpersonal closeness results when you and the person you’re speaking to face each other. Speaking or listening with your face or gaze turned away communicates dislike, disinterest, or boredom.

• Humor:
• Laughter releases stress and tension.

• Silence is effective - and much under-used. People are nervous in silence and try to fill it. You can use this if you are seeking information. You ask the question, you lean back, the person answers, you nod and smile, you keep quiet, and the person continues with more detail, simply to fill your silence.

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