What is Nonverbal
Nonverbal
Communication
Basic Information
Vocal Qualities
Body Characteristics
Environmental Cues
Characteristics of
Nonverbal Communication

Cultural

Gestures & behaviors can vary
from one culture to another
culture

Culture = ethnicity, race,
religion, regional differences
Characteristics of
Nonverbal Communication

Subconscious

We don’
don’t realize the impact our
gestures & behaviors have on
our interactions

Subconscious = to be unaware
of or to do something
unknowingly
Why is Nonverbal
Communication? Communication Important?

“It’
It’s not what you say, it’
it’s how
It’
It’s related to your verbal
you say it”
it” messages
There are three (3) categories of

 Reinforces “Hi!”
Hi!” and waving
nonverbal communication:  Contradicts “Hi!”
Hi!” and grimacing
1. Vocal Qualities
 Substitutes Waving = greeting
2. Body Characteristics

It conveys the emotion you felt
3. Environmental Cues
Characteristics of Characteristics of
Nonverbal Communication Nonverbal Communication

Contextual
Ambiguous

Meaning of gestures &
Meaning of gestures &
behaviors might vary according behaviors can vary from person
to the context of an interaction to person

Context = the who, what, and
Ambiguous = vague; having
why of an interaction more than one meaning; open
to multiple interpretations
How Can Nonverbal Three Categories of
Communication Help You Nonverbal Communication

Create a positive and
Vocal Qualities: How your voice
professional image to sounds & is projected
others
Body Characteristics: How your

Look & sound posture, body, and facial
confident expressions appear to others

Appear poised &
Environmental Cues: Various
assertive elements that impact the
impression you make to others
1
 Vocal Qualities
Vocal Qualities Rate
Vocalizations

Volume

Can everyone in
Am I speaking
Vocalizations “fill in”

in” silence

Laughter
Pauses/ Silence the room hear too slowly/too
Too many vocalizations reduce the
what I am quickly? effectiveness of your presentations

Volume
Pitch
saying?
Slowness or

Sounds: Hmm, Uh, Um, Er, Ah,

Vocalizations
Inflection
Loudness or rapidness while
speaking Huh, Oh

Rate
Tone
softness of voice

Slower than
Words: Yeah, Like, You Know, And,

Practice in your
speaking room conversational Now, But, So, Anyway, Whatever,

Rehearse the
rate of speaking Stuff, Thing
speech out loud

Pauses/Silence Inflection, Pitch, Tone Body Characteristics

Pauses can help add drama/effect
to a presentation

Pauses can be used to recall
information in your presentation

If you forget parts of your
presentation, don’
don’t apologize

These are natural variations in your
voice
Dress/Grooming

You should sound friendly,

Facial/Eye
Expressions
enthusiastic, energetic, confident

If there are no variations in your

Movements/Gestures
voice = a boring & uninteresting
Posture
presentation = monotone

Variations in inflection, pitch, tone
make your presentation interesting

Dress/Grooming Dress/Grooming Dress/Grooming

What you wear & what you look
Formal Professional

Casual Professional
like is important
Men: Suit, dress shirt, tie, dress
shoes & socks, belt
Men: Trousers/Slacks, dress

Project a professional & positive
image (the
(the 3 Cs)
Cs) shirt (with or without tie/blazer)

Women: Pant or Dress Suit
or polo shirt, dress shoes &

Classic (style)
Suit Colors: Black, Gray, Navy,
socks, belt

Clean (well maintained) Brown, Taupe

Woman: Slacks/skirt/dress;

Conservative (in good taste)
Use bold/contemporary colors
blouse, sweater or sweater set
with shirt/blouse, tie/scarf

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 Grooming Tips Other Tips Facial/Eye Expressions

Have natural-
natural-
Men: trim &
Avoid too much fragrance
looking hair
Friendly, courteous, enthusiastic,
clean your nails
Minimal amount of jewelry
color confident

Ladies: apply

Polish your shoes

Avoid extreme natural-
Get a good night’
night’s rest to look
natural-looking
hairstyles
Men: polish your shoes wear trouser
make-
make-up and feel fresh & rested
socks; no white athletic socks

Brush your
Ladies: trim
Give direct eye contact to show
teeth, use
Women: wear closed-
closed-toed or peep-
peep-
your nails; use respect as well as confidence
mouthwash, toe shoes; wear pantyhose if
natural-
natural-looking
have a breath necessary; beware of too much
polish
mint cleavage & short skirt/dress hemline

Posture Movements/Gestures Movements/Gestures

Hand motions Presentations

Projects self-
self-image to others
when you are walking, sitting, or
Handshake during job interview
Should add
standing is important emphasis

Benefits of proper posture
Firm shake, not tight or weak
(have a
purpose)

Reduces tension & fatigue
Feet, head/neck motions

Should appear

Comfortable, not tense
Self-
Self-monitor your movements natural, not

Relaxed, not stressed during an interview rehearsed

Environmental Cues Color

Space & Distance
Certain colors symbolize or stand

Fragrance & Odor
for meanings, feelings, or things

Artifacts & Objects
Intimate

Ex: Rose colors & their

Color
Personal
meanings

Territory
Social

White = innocence, humility

Touch
Public

Red = love, beauty

Time

Pink = appreciation, happiness

Space & Distance

Yellow = friendship, gladness

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 Artifacts & Objects Fragrance & Odor
Artifacts & Objects
Recall memories

Artifacts
= things you put on
yourself (accessories)
Objects = things used to decorate
Ex: Grandma’
Grandma’s house
a space
Influence emotions

Jewelry

Favorite, Sentimental, Memories
Ex: aromatherapy

Scarves

Pictures
Make judgments about others

Belts

Ex: type of perfume or cologne

Posters

Purse/Backpack/Athletic Bag

Indicates cleanliness & hygiene

Trophies

Gloves

Ex: soap, body spray, cream,

Books

Hair accessories shampoo

Territory Time Touch

Identifying an area/item as
Time management sends
Establish relationship
“yours”
yours”—my seat messages about how you value
Intimidation/Power (sexual
others and your attitude toward harassment)

Claiming a place/location as
responsibilities
Interest (flirting; friendliness)
“yours”
yours”—our turf

Lateness = inconsiderate,
Establish appropriateness

Claiming a person as “yours”
yours”—my
careless, not important, etc. (society/culture)
girl

Punctuality = responsible, eager,
Hugs

Protecting your family, friends,
assertive, etc.
Kisses (lips or cheek)
space, or belongings

Patting