Demonstrative communication involves nonverbal and unwritten means of communicating with the world on personal level as well as in business life. According to authors of Communicating in the Workplace understanding nonverbal messages can help people to interact better with each other (Communicating in the Workplace, by Thomas Cheesebro, Linda O’Connor, and Francisco Rios. Ch.
4, P. 89). “Remember, the silent communication of your body language says as much as your words. ” (Joan M. Boneberg at speakingspecialist. com/articles).
Face expressions, body language, posture, dress style are silent messages we send to others, sometimes not what we intend, but nonetheless. First impressions are quite important; it is also good when you can support the first good impression with appropriate knowledge, experience and ability to get along with people. The old saying is “Look for the job you want, not for the one you have got”. Mostly nonverbal messages we send reveal our identities, the way we want people to see us, it is mainly communicating emotions.It also tells us in what relationships we are to the people we communicate with. If I would talk to a friend about personal matters I will sit either next to her or across her sipping my coffee, relaxing while would I speak to my boss I would choose a proper distance, proper attire and official demeanor.
Also we should always be aware of cultural differences when communicating through gestures, signs or behavior because what is norm for one group of people may be looked at as disrespect to others.Once again as per authors of our text there are seven types of nonverbal communications. One is referred to as chronemics which represent the way people of different cultures relate to time. To us Americans time is as we say “money”, we always run out of time and we have to earn the luxury of leisure. For instance in the movie “Eat Pray Love” an Italian man tells to an American writer that they , Italians, do not feel that they have to earn the luxury of doing nothing , they feel they deserve it.
Of course this is the message that creator of the movie wanted to send to an audience, it is his perspective of how Italian people feel about time. The distance people standing when sending a message is referred to as proxemics and that distance depends on who is the receiver in relationship to the sender and whether the communication is intimate or official. Also we have to be aware of personal space and territory when interacting with others. Eye contact (oculesic) also vary in nature and perception by various cultures. Most Americans generally like a “soft” eye contact” when people do make eye contact but occasionally look away, while in cultures of Middle East if a person do not look you into the eyes while conversing maybe consider as someone is hiding something or not telling the truth. (Communicating in the Workplace, by Thomas Cheesebro, Linda O’Connor, and Francisco Rios.
Ch. 4 p. 91) Gestures, facial expressions, posture are referred to as kinesics and should be taken into consideration when used in diverse groups because one gesture may be absolutely innocent for one culture and mean an insult and disrespect in another.Listening and responding is very important in successful communication. When we show people we are interested in what they have to say, when we pay attention to what they say we may respond and provide feedback and this is when successful or effective communication takes place. So knowing your audience and applying active listening, gathering, evaluating information and responding are crucial for success as per authors of this textbook.
All these components can make communication, effective.I as a manager in my practice support an open door policy, welcome ideas and people who work with me bringing these new ideas know that they can expect attentive listening, encouraging and interested look and open dialog, this helps to create productive and comfortable atmosphere for everyone and gets things done, needs of practices addressed. In conclusion, I believe that both verbal and nonverbal components contribute to effective communications as in personal life as well as in business life and it are difficult to separate them or to assign more significance to one than the other.
