Aqeel Abbas

FA18-BCE-005

COMSATS UNIVERSITY ISLAMABAD

(ATTAOCK CAMPUS)
Assignment# 01

Name: Aqeel Abbas

Reg NO: FA18-BCE-005
Submitted by: SIR. Saad Zahid
Subject: Business Communication
Aqeel Abbas
FA18-BCE-005

Topic: Daily life Examples of Non-Verbal communication

Non-Verbal Communication:
Every day we communicate with our family, friends, colleagues and even strangers, but only a
small percentage of what we communicate during each of these conversations is verbal. Research
shows that the vast majority of what we convey through our interactions with others is innate and
instinctual, known as nonverbal communication. Nonverbal behavior like body movements and
posture, facial expressions, eye contact, hand gestures and tone of voice all contribute to how we
communicate and understand each other. Often, we are unaware of our participation in
interpersonal, nonverbal communication because these actions are inherent to how we converse
as humans and ingrained into our daily lives. 
There have been a number of studies on the complex topic of nonverbal communication with
varying results. However, most experts agree that 70 to 93 percent of all communication is
nonverbal.

Examples of Nonverbal Communication in the Workplace:

1. Vocal Tone:

Speaking style, pitch, rate and volume all contribute to understanding the speaker. Changes in
vocal tone during a conversation are also a noticeable nonverbal cue that contributes to your
understanding of the person speaking. For example, during a friendly conversation with your
boss, you ask her if you can take next week off. She says “Sure. Take all the time off you need,”
but her tone of voice went from warm and sweet before your question to cold and sharp when
she replied. Although her words seem positive, her tone of voice indicates she is not happy about
your request. 

2. Fidgeting:

Are you shaking your knee, biting your nails or playing with your pen very noticeably as
someone else talks in a meeting? This may express to the speaker you are bored or nervous or are
disinterested.  
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3. Facial expressions:

Since facial expressions are closely tied to our emotions, they reveal what we are thinking and
are perhaps our biggest nonverbal communicators in everyday life. Imagine pitching a new
product to a client with a fearful and worried look on your face or with a lack of eye contact.
This would convey to your client that you have little faith in the product. Instead, if you really
want to sell your product, show positive energy and enthusiasm with your facial expressions by
allowing your face to be animated and smiling as you talk. The excitement on your face will help
get the customer excited about your new product. 

4. Head movements:

Head movements are especially rich conveyors of communication and one of the easiest
nonverbal cues to understand. Certain head movements tend to be culture-specific, such as
nodding in agreement for within western cultures. For example, when presenting in a meeting,
you can gauge participants’ understanding and interest in your presentation by observing their
head movements. If they are shaking their head in a “no” manner, you may need to pause and ask
if anyone has any questions to try to understand if they are confused or in disagreement with you.
Conversely, if meeting participants are actively nodding their heads in a “yes” manner, it is a
good indication they are engaged and understand what you’re trying to communicate.

5. Hand gestures:

Hand gestures punctuate the spoken word and can offer useful context about both the speaker
and what they are saying. Sometimes hand gestures give clues to the speaker’s emotional state.
Trembling hands could mean the person is anxious or lying. Animated, grand hand gestures
could indicate the person is excited or passionate about what she is discussing.  Other times hand
gestures give literal meaning to the spoken words. Your boss may give you very detailed verbal
instructions about a task with added hand gestures to reinforce his spoken words. For example,
he says, “I need three circular objects placed over there.” As he speaks these words, he gestures
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with his hands by holding up three fingers, followed by drawing a circle in the air and finally
pointing to where he wants them.

6. Body posture:

Body posture can be used to determine a participant’s degree of attention or involvement during
a conversation.  Bad posture, like slouching, may indicate the listener is bored or uninterested in
the conversation. In contrast, if the person you’re speaking to is standing or sitting still, upright
and leaning forward, they are signalling that they are focused, attentive and engaged in the
conversation. Body posture can also give hints about personality characteristics, such as whether
a person is confident, happy, friendly or submissive. 

7. Physical distance:

Physical distance between people can set the tone for the conversation. An employee who comes
extremely close to speak with you while you’re seated at your desk may indicate they have
something confidential to say. Other times, getting extremely close or touching someone as you
speak could be considered intrusive or even hostile. However, physical distance can be
misleading since different cultures require different amounts of physical distance for
communicating in the workplace.

More examples of Non-Verbal Communication:

For example, if you notice that someone is speaking quietly with slouched shoulders or crossed
arms, it may be a cue that they feel nervous or anxious. You can respond empathetically by
smiling and holding a warm and open body posture.

For example, if you’re hoping to speak with a supervisor to request a raise or promotion, you may
choose to dress in business professional attire to showcase your dedication to both the position and
professionalism in the workplace.
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For example, if you’re explaining a new idea to your supervisor and want to express confidence in your
plan, you can sit or stand straight to portray how confident you are about your idea and why you believe
it will benefit the company.

For example, shaking a person’s hand firmly without aggression is a way to show respect or that you’re
pleased to meet them. 

For example, if a co-worker is telling you about their recent vacation, you can smile and nod along while
you listen to the story to show you’re having a pleasant time listening to them.

For example, if you’re sitting down before a meeting with a large group of people and notice a co-
worker interested in talking, you can get up and sit next to them. This proves you’re interested in having
a conversation and want to hear them clearly. Try to make sure you’re allowing enough space between
you two to maintain a comfortable environment.

For example, if you’re watching a co-worker give a presentation and are sitting with your arms on the
table or down at your side, rather than crossed on your chest, this can show you’re engaged in their
presentation.