Non Verbal Communication

One of the most important skills we learn from the time we are born and use all through our lives are communication skills. According to our text Communicating Effectively, (2007) the definition of communication “is any process in which people share information, ideas, and feelings” (Hybels & Weaver, 2007, p. 8). How we communicate involves not only what we say but the mannerisms we display when we are talking to others. In my paper I will discuss the role of non-verbal communication, the various types of non-verbal skills, and ways that we can improve our use of these skills.

Our text describes nonverbal communication as “information communicated without using words” and states that “93 percent of communication is nonverbal, with 55 percent sent through facial expressions, posture, and gestures and 38 percent through tone of voice” (Hybels & Weaver, 2007, p. 132). From these figures we can see how important nonverbal skills are when communicating with others, in that, when we are speaking, we are saying more with how we are listening and responding than what we are actually saying.

Our communication behaviors are learned mostly from the culture we are raised in (Hybels & Weaver, 2007, p.134). We are taught communication skills from those around us of what is acceptable and what is not. Although we learn how to communicate through others and our culture, we may not learn the best ways to communicate, which can be a negative as we grow up and go out into the work force or into a vast, complex world where many skills are needed to accomplish your goals and dreams and be successful.

We are not born with great communication skills. These skills can be learned and applied to our lives within our family and friend relationships, and also to our workplace with co-workers. To become a great communicator, we need to learn skills of Strategic Flexibility, which expand “your communication repertoire…to enable you to use the best skill or behavior available for a...