Module Summary

All vocal or oral communication consists of two concurrent components: the verbal one and them powerful non-verbal part. The effectiveness of any communication depends on the alignment between the two.

The impact of words can be reinforced or contradicted by our body language. Moreover, we can use our information regarding body language signals to regulate and control our own reactions during communication. This binary system of communicating is extremely effective in evaluating the status of a relationship or friendship.

Knowledge regarding body language cues and signals can help us to improve the way in which we interpret communication and help us to become better communicators in the process. Non-verbal communication is far more powerful than oral communication and contradictory signals

can often lead to misunderstandings and an increased likelihood of conflict. Once we are consciously aware of how we use our bodies during communication, our self-understanding becomes more meaningful.

We learn to become more deeply empathetic and are able to gauge the words and signals that please or offend others. Body language is the X-factor that influences the efficacy of communications in all walks of life. Body language signals need to be interpreted in connection with other gestures and expressions, taken as a cluster rather than analysing isolated signals.

By gaining insights into body language, we are in a position to modify our behavior in positive ways. Similarly, by being able to interpret the body language of others, we are able to respond in an appropriate manner. Whilst there are several aspects of body language or non verbal communication, learning to focus on the fears, desires, feelings and emotions of others helps to pave the way to enjoying better personal and professional relationships.

Module Summary

Non-verbal communication and body language is significantly specific to cultures and one learns it in the context of modern society. Learning and keeping in sync with non-verbal cues can be challenging initially, because the signals are often open to misinterpretation. In general, body language and non-verbal communication includes all communication that lies outside the realm of vocalised words and sentences.

The study includes intentional and unintentional expression of feelings in the form of gestures, postures, expressions and paralanguage and so on. Proxemics is the use of personal space during face to face communication. The perception of personal space differs widely across cultures. Compared to other cultures, people belonging to the west usually prefer personal space. Territory, on the other hand, could include a wider area, such as a cubicle, chair or desk. Rich, powerful and important people usually demand more personal space, compared to others. People belonging to different cultures have different ideas regarding the appropriateness of proximity in different situations. As cross-cultural interactions become increasingly common, it is important to be aware of such differences in order to be able to communicate in the best way. Non- verbal gestures can often be used to repeat, accentuate, contradict, emphasise, or substitute vocal communication. Physical appearance, for example, plays a pivotal role in creating first impressions about a person. A neatly attired candidate is more likely to be considered for a job opening, compared to someone who appears scruffy or ill-kempt. In the subtle field of body language, neat dress and demeanour reflects confidence and trustworthiness and, most importantly, it suggests that the person in question cares about how others view him or her. The key to reading body language lies in the ability to interpret an individual's emotional condition, whilst continuing to listen to what they have to say and keeping in mind the circumstances under which they are saying it.

Module Summary

One of the very first books regarding non-verbal communication was written by Charles Darwin and was called “Expressions of Emotion in Animal and Man”, in the year 1872.
Albert Mehrabiyan was a popular social scientist, who first described the popular 7-38-55 communication theory. The theory explained that 55% of communication involved body language and non-verbal gestures, whilst only 7% was contributed by the actual words that we speak.

Ray Birdwhistel, another well-known body language scientist, explained that first impressions were usually formed within four minutes of meeting new acquaintances. Non-verbal modes of communication and body language can be acquired genetically, through cultural influences, or they are inborn.
Women, in general, are known to possess superior ability to interpret and read the body language of others, compared to men. This ability can be traced to the biological structure of the female brain, which has 12 to 14 areas dedicated to the interpretation of behaviours and attitudes.

For correct interpretation of body language, it is extremely important to interpret body language in the relevant context. In addition, body language gestures should always be taken in congruence with words, in order to read its full meaning.

In general, children are much easier to read, because their facial muscle tone is less developed and they tend to be more honest in their physical expression of spoken communication. Leg positions tend to give away a host of emotions, including dominance, respect, submissiveness and withdrawal. The European leg cross and the American leg four are two prominent leg positions that are commonly observed.

Module Summary

Our feet are extremely expressive of our inner feelings and reveal a lot of information about our intentions.
Legs and feet will indicate preferences and dislikes and may detract from our spoken words, if the two components of communication are not in alignment. Legs can be crossed in several different ways and women cross their legs in different ways to men.

We also demonstrate several gestures that are so common that we often do not ascribe deeper meaning to them. However, once you learn to interpret and read these gestures, you can read the communication from the other person clearly.

Additionally, you are also able to regulate and control your body gestures, so that you prevent yourself from giving off the wrong signals to others. Rubbing the back of the neck, pulling at the earlobe, clasping the hands, leaning too far in and pointing a finger are all examples of common gestures that we encounter in everyday life.

Mirroring is a natural, intuitive gesture that human beings have learned since they were foet uses in the womb. We mirror each other's body language in a bid to connect or form a bond with others. It also represents our need to be with people we trust and like - we feel as if we are part of the group, instead of feeling different from the rest.
Mirroring can be effectively used in business and sales techniques, to form a subtle but powerful connection with prospective customers.

module summary

Our hands are the most expressive part of our body when it comes to demonstrating our feelings and emotions. Experts suggest that the high number of nerve endings in the hand establish a higher connection to the brain. As a result, the brain engages the hand in every communication. Used in the correct way, you can use your hands to add emphasis to your words and render them more interesting to the listener.

We have learned that body language expresses our emotions and feelings clearly, even when we don't speak. The good news is that we can regulate our body language to transform negative emotions into positive ones.

Consciously keeping your palms open can help curb the tendency to tell untruths. This will also encourage the other person to communicate truthfully and will help keep the conversation free of concealments and pretences to a significant extent.

Unlocking your ankles and uncrossing your arms will help you to become less defensive, automatically. This is referred to as the law of cause and effect with respect to body language.

Handshakes are one of the most ubiquitous forms of greeting in many parts of the world. Handshakes originated from ancient times, when the Romans used to handshake the lower arm in order to indicate that they were not carrying weapons.

There are several different types of handshake and each one reveals a lot about our personality. The right kind of handshake can help to create positive first impressions during both business and personal interactions. Handshakes should be ideally two to five seconds in duration and not longer. The gesture should ideally be initiated by the person superior in status, or older in age.

Module Summary

Hands have been used to establish dominance and control for thousands of years, since Roman leaders used the upper arm grip to evaluate each other. Handshakes can convey impressions of dominance, submission and equality.

The angle of your palm and the pressure that you exert are clear indicators of the power play between you and the other person. The palm up position indicates submission, whilst the palm down position demonstrates control and dominance. In situations where you have to shake hands with multiple people in the room, use the right angles and the right pressure to establish healthy rapport with other people. There are several types of handshake, including the cold, clammy one, the vice-grip, the -crusher and the pump handle, amongst others. The type of handshake initiated by the person depends on several factors, such as their need for personal space, the culture that is native to them, their personality type and their objective in meeting you.

The best way to shake hands is to position the palms vertically and match the grip of the initiator.

In general, handshakes serve as a behaviour sample from which people form first impressions of the kind of personality that you are. It is possible to improve the impact of the first impression, by moderating your handshake and consciously eliminating negative gestures.

Module Summary
Making and maintaining eye contact is not only important, it is crucial to indicate interest, comprehension and respect during face to face communication.

Amongst all body language cues, eye contact and interpretation take place at a subconscious level and are not under our voluntary control. In other words, we may be able to change physical gestures and postures, but it is very difficult to regulate pupil size and dilation, for example.

Pupils usually dilate when we something that we are attracted to or interested in. Conversely, most of us become small or beady-eyed when we see something that we don't like. The size of the pupils and direction of the gaze provides important feedback to our feelings. Eyes are actually potent indicators of feelings and moods and one can manage to gain detailed insight into a person's attitudes, by making subtle observations.

Excessively prolonged eye contact may be perceived as threatening, while inadequate eye contact may be perceived as a lack of interest. In work environments, you may meet multiple people and may have to make the right level of eye contact in order to build a rapport with each of them. Gazing behaviour plays a crucial role in body language and intuitively reflects what we feel. Gazing upwards indicates recall, while glancing downwards indicates mental chatter.

Contrary to popular belief, excessive blinking need not always indicate lying behaviour. For accurate interpretation, you should interpret gesture clusters, instead of reading them in isolation.

Eye contact behaviour and signals vary significantly across cultures. If you deal with a business that involves interaction with different cultures, then you may wish to make it a point to understand how different forms of eye contact are interpreted in other parts of the world.

Truth and dishonesty lie at the core of all personal and professional relationships. In other words, a lot may ride on our ability to detect lies and falsehood. Personal relationships may end because of cheating on a spouse, teenagers commit suicide because parents were not alert towards their body language, innocent people may be imprisoned because of lack of ability to interpret gestures and your business may lose money to a conman, just because you were not able to read the signs.

In effect, all of us play truth or dare on a subconscious level. By learning to apply the techniques explained in this module consistently, you will improve your ability to detect lies and deceit. The least reliable signs of lying behaviour include spoken language, as this can be easily disguised and manipulated at will. Involuntary and intuitive gestures, such as pupil dilation, gazing behaviour and breathing patterns are more likely to reveal a liar.

This is because he has less voluntary control over such body responses. The main challenge with lying is that our subconscious reacts first and
our body language gives us away before we have a chance to use verbalisation to reinforce the lie. The liar immediately transmits contradictory signals that arouse your suspicions. Lie detection is
more reliable when done with the help of observation of micro gestures, such as breathing and blinking.

It is generally a good idea to establish a baseline that helps determine the natural body language and behaviour. This will help you to identify departures from the normal gestures and postures. Eye movements, shifts in posture and tense gestures may all indicate the concealment of truth. Recognition of lying behaviour, deceit and cheating behaviour are important skills that you can learn. You will learn to protect yourself from cheats and liars in all different spheres of life.

Body language helps us to understand the needs of others and how to respond to them in the best way. The techniques and strategies can help you to climb the ladder of career success and achievement, simply due to your ability to connect with others better.

Regulation of our own body language, gestures and postures helps to minimise distracting movements and helps emphasise confidence, credibility and trust. Positive body language helps to motivate and influence your colleagues and teammates and helps you to bond with others.

Co-workers and subordinates will be more willing to listen to your ideas and your presentations are likely to have an improved impact, when accompanied by the right gestures and expressions. Most importantly, correct use of body language minimises the likelihood of conflict and misunderstandings in the office. Instead of leaving relationship building to chance, trial and error, we can take proactive steps to ensure that we convey the right signals to others.

Smiling and laughing has a healing effect on our lives. Smiling can help to improve the outcomes of interactions, increase bonding, help encounters last longer, minimise conflicts and pave the way for better relationships. Research shows that men who are humorous are perceived as more attractive by women, compared to men who did not crack smiles easily.

In addition, smiles and laughter also help release endorphins and lead to a greater sense of wellbeing and happiness. Just as we smile when we are happy, we can trick our brains into thinking that we are happy when we smile.

The phrase “job interview” can often spell stress and tension for most people. The prospect of speaking to strangers and answering questions may sound daunting to many. Positive and empowering body language can help calm frayed nerves and convey confidence and assurance to the interviewers.

Most interviewers make up their minds about the suitability of a candidate even before asking the first question. The way you carry yourself, smile, walk and make eye contact can decide whether or not you will be selected for the next level in the hiring process. Employers are always on the lookout for non-verbal cues that indicate your levels of professionalism, attitudes and beliefs. By regulating our body language, we can prevent body language mistakes from jeopardising our chances of career success.

Learning to communicate with your body, gestures and expressions across cultures would mean stepping out of your comfort zone. People from cultures perceive body language in different ways and it is important to respect these differences. As business environments become more global in nature, it may be necessary for you to travel to emerging countries or foreign markets. The wrong body language and improper gestures may come in the way of interaction, as it may be seen as disrespect or rudeness.

You may not be able to speak the foreign language in question and so it is even more important to be able to communicate correctly with your face and body. Simple gestures like nodding, making eye contact and making physical contact may mean completely different things in different cultures. Body language faux pas can derail prospective business relationships and create awkward social situations.
Lack of knowledge regarding non-verbal interpretation can interfere wit smooth communication. In order to be able to learn cross-cultural body language perceptions, it is important to set aside our own preconceived notions. In fact, the best way is to keep the hands close to the body where it is less likely to create awkward situations.

It is also important to remember that the tips for cross-cultural intelligence are not to be as hard and fast rules. Whilst these are general rules, they should not be considered as stereotypical behaviour. Personal preferences play a significant role, as do different personalities. Body language also plays a crucial role in relationships, marriage and parenting. Our bodies are

talking silently to loved ones all the time. Positive body language can convey affirmations, love and affection, whilst negative gestures communicate defensiveness, aggression, resentment and hostility. By changing our body postures and gestures, we can change our emotions.

Some common gestures that we encounter in daily life include head nodding, shrugging and placing the hands on the hips. All of these gestures can imply different attitudes, depending on the cluster of other related gestures. Slow and deliberate nodding helps to indicate affirmation and is perceived as a positive gesture by the speaker. Regulation and mindful observation of our own and others' body.