Viral Now - If You Only Focus on What You Say, You Don't Really Understand What Communication Is

Communication is the backbone of human civilization. Without it the world would become bizarre. Humans survived for so long because they developed the most important skills that let them overpower other species.^[1] Since the ancient times to the present times communication played a key role in deciding the fate of humans.

Today also communication is very vital especially looking at the need of communication in corporate culture, workplaces and various industries etc.

An effective communication directly relates to how well you have conveyed or received a message from other person be it via phone, email or social media. Success of every individual directly relates to his/her ability to effectively communicate both verbally and non-verbally. Both verbal and non-verbal communications are an important part of human life because it shapes an individual’s interaction with others in interpersonal relationships, business, finance as well as personal success. Not only this but communication plays a very vital role in an individual’s physical and psychological well-being.

So the first step to enhance positive communication and nurture relationships an individual has to start understanding the various aspects of verbal and non-verbal communication and also the vital role both forms of communication plays in successful interactions with others.^[2]

Verbal communication helps clarification.

Verbal communication is any kind of communication that involves words, signal, spoken or written. Conversation with your friends, colleagues, seniors at college, office or in a meeting, reading newspaper in the morning or watching morning news or texting via mobile are all different kinds of verbal communication. Verbal communications is generally based on a language that varies in different geographic areas.

Verbal communication is required to inform other individuals of our need or to inform or impart knowledge. In verbal communication the most important aspect is clarification. This is because clarification helps in resolving issues where an individual don’t articulate himself clearly or his words or actions are misconstrued. So verbal communication assists in clarify misunderstanding and provides missing information.

Like the verbal communication the non-verbal communication is of the same importance. Communication is not complete without non-verbal communication because it is not that words, signals, spoken or written communication forms the complete circle of communication.

Non-verbal communication is an integral part of verbal communication.

Non-verbal communication involves body language, hand gestures, eye contact and tone of an individual and helps him to convey his message like the verbal communication.^[3] Non-verbal communication indirectly conveys that you don’t always have to take the help of written or spoken words or letters to convey your message.

A person standing relaxed with an open stance and friendly tone appears more approachable to people than a rigid person. A person who makes eye contact with another person while having a conversation demonstrates that he is focused and undiverted. A firm handshake or a warm hug can very clearly states something very different than a timid handshake or a loose pat on the back. All these different types of non-verbal gestures very quickly shape people’s judgment about others.

Beside this the sound of the voice including volume, tone and pitch also demonstrate the same.

An individual can contradict, reinforce, complement, substitute or emphasize his communication with different non-verbal cues like expressions, gestures and vocal inflection. Non-verbal communication is an integral part of verbal communication because when an individual speaks or listen he/she directly or indirectly uses non-verbal cues. For instance when an individual is speaking and the other one avoids eye contact clearly hints that he/she is not interested in the conversation or doesn’t find the topic appealing.

How can I enhance both verbal and non-verbal communication?

To improve verbal communication one needs to be a good listener because it indicates that you are paying attention to the speaker.^[4] Beside this, it is also a fact that no one likes communicating with people who only cares about putting his views and doesn’t listen back. So in order to be a successful communicator one has to practice active listening.

To improve non-verbal communication one must pay attention to correct their posture, stance, hand gestures, pitch and tone of voice while having a conversation. Your body gestures tell it all and directly affect your involvement in the conversation.

You can further improve your communication by strictly following the below mentioned aspects:

1. Friendliness: It’s very important to be nice and polite in every conversation be it at your work or meeting or home.
2. Confidence: Confidence ensures your colleagues, friends, relatives that you believe in what you are saying.
3. Empathy: Even though you don’t agree with others on some point but it is important to respect and understand others point of view.
4. Open-Mindedness: Good communicators always indulge into any conversation with a flexible and open mind.
5. Respect: Conveying respect to others will make more people open to communicating with you.

Reference

[1]	^	Lifehack: 10 Skills You Need to Succeed at Almost Anything
[2]	^	Lifehack: 9 Tips to Improve Your Communication Skills
[3]	^	Lifehack: 15 Tricks To Read Body Languages
[4]	^	Illumine: Nine Practical Ways to Improve Verbal Communication

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