Would you believe that 60% to 80% of your communication is in the form of non verbal communication? Which means that your verbal communication accounts for only 7% to 10% of your communication. With that in mind, what are you really saying? Here are a few of the common messages you could be sending without actually realizing it:
- Arms crossed - “I’m afraid of you” OR “I disagree with you.
- Head tilted - “I’m interested in what you are saying” OR “I don’t understand”
- Tugging at ear - “Stop talking. It’s your turn to listen.”
- Rubbing eye - “I don’t see it.”
- Steepling with fingers – “I’m confident.”
- Rubbing back of neck - “I’m frustrated.”
- Touching throat - “I’m anxious.”
- Touching chest – “I really mean it.”
- Unbuttoning jacket – “I’m open to what you’re saying.”
- Fidgeting – “I’m bored.”
Keep in mind that everyone has their own unique body language and it takes practice to recognize all of the non verbal signal (for example arms crossed could represent feel cold as well as being resistant to an idea). Be aware of your non verbal communications and watch your interactions with bosses, co-workers, friends and family improve for the better.
