Module no.

3:
Verbal and
NONVERBAL
COMMUNICATION in
business

What is non verbal

communication?

Nonverbal communication has been defined as

communication without words.
It includes apparent behaviors such as facial
expressions, eyes, touching, and tone of voice, as
well as less obvious messages such as dress,
posture and spatial distance between two or
more people.
A communication where action speaks louder
than words.

Types of Communication
Verbal Com.
Nonverbal
Com.

Vocal Com.

Nonvocal
Com.

Spoken words
Tone of voice,
sighs,
screams, vocal
qualities,
(loudness) etc

Written Words
Gestures,
movement,
appearance,
facial
expression etc

Verbal vs Nonverbal

Humans use nonverbal Communication

because::

Words have limitations: There are numerous

areas where nonverbal communication is more
effective than verbal (when explain the shape,
directions, personalities are expressed
nonverbally)

Nonverbal signal are powerful: Nonverbal cues

primary express inner feelings (verbal
messages deal basically with outside world).

Nonverbal message are likely to be more

genuine: because nonverbal behaviors cannot
be controlled as easily as spoken words.

Human use nonverbal

communication because::
Nonverbal signals can express feelings
inappropriate to state: Social etiquette limits
what can be said, but nonverbal cues can
communicate thoughts.
A separate communication channel is necessary
to help send complex messages: A speaker can
add enormously to the complexity of the verbal
message through simple nonverbal signals.

Types of nonverbal communication

Basically it is sending and receiving messages in
a variety of ways without the use of verbal codes
(words). It is both intentional and unintentional.
Most speakers / listeners are not conscious of
this. It includes but is not limited to:

Kinesics / Body Language

Space & Proximics
Gestures

Body language/ Kinesics

Body language is body movements that depend
on a persons attitude or feelings. Body language
includes the way people walk, how they stand,
and their facial features.
In other words, any kind of meaning that is
shown by a person's body attitude or movements.
For example, when a boy is sad he may droop his
head and walk slowly. Or, if a girl is happy, she
might run and jump or stand up straight and put
her hands in the air.

Body language/ Kinesics

People don't have to say anything to show how
they feel about things. The colour of people's
skin may even show how they feel. For example,
if people with light colored skin get embarrassed,
their skin may turn red, or if they are worried,
they might get pale.
Body language can be voluntary (on purpose) or
involuntary (a person cant help it). An
interesting fact is that blind children will smile
when happy even though they have never seen a
smile.

Facial Expression
The girl on the left by her expression
expresses that she is angry.
Her anger is shown only by
her body language

Space & Proximics

Proxemics is the study of how people use and
perceive the physical space around them. The
space between the sender and the receiver of a
message influences the way the message is
interpreted.
The perception and use of space varies
significantly across cultures and different settings
within cultures. Space in nonverbal communication
may be divided into four main categories: intimate,
social, personal, and public space.

Why is Nonverbal Communication

important?
Use to repeat the verbal message (eg. point in a
direction while stating directions)
Often used to assent a verbal message (eg.
Verbal tone indicates the actual meaning of the
specific words)
Regulate interactions (non-verbal cues covey
when the other person should speak or not
speak).