Listen With Your Eyes
Do you want to be a better communicator? Learn to study nonverbal communication.
Tips for Understanding Nonverbal Communication, by Susan M. Heathfield
Article found on www.About.com
Used by permission
Is there ever any doubt in your mind as to the mood of a coworker upon their arrival at work? Nonverbal communication is the single most powerful form of communication. More than voice or even words, nonverbal communication cues you in to what is on another person’s mind. The best communicators are sensitive to the power of the emotions and thoughts communicated nonverbally. Nonverbal communication ranges from facial expression to body language. Gestures, signs, and use of space are also important in nonverbal communication. Multicultural differences in body language, facial expression, use of space, and especially, gestures, are enormous and enormously open to misinterpretation.
One study at UCLA indicated that up to 93 percent of communication effectiveness is determined by nonverbal cues. Another study indicated that the impact of a performance was determined 7 percent by the words used, 38 percent by voice quality, and 55 percent by the nonverbal communication. You may have your voice and words under control, but your body language including the tiniest facial expressions and movement can give your true thoughts and feelings away.
No matter your position, improving your skill in interpreting nonverbal communication will add to your ability to communicate with another person, nonverbally. Correct interpretation of nonverbal communication will add depth to your ability to communicate. Recognize that people communicate on many levels. Watch their facial expressions, eye contact, posture, hand and feet movements, body movement and placement, and appearance and passage as they walk toward you. Every gesture is communicating something if you listen with your eyes. Become accustomed to watching nonverbal communication and your ability to read nonverbal communication will grow with practice.
As directors of barbershop choruses around the country, we practice the art of nonverbal communication all of the time. It is an essential tool that we may not be thinking enough about. Why say something that can take up to three minutes when you can show the same thing in a few small gestures? So much of our time in our chapter meetings involves the director talking to the chorus about this or that. Why not rely more on your hands and your nonverbal communication to do the talking for you. As this article states, up to 93 percent of effective communication is determined by nonverbal cues.
Here is a challenge for you: Video tape yourself for the next four chapter meeting nights. After each night, watch the video without sound and see if what you are saying with your body language and nonverbal communication is the same as what you actually “said” in the meeting. Challenge yourself to improve your nonverbal communication and you WILL become a better director. At the end of the four weeks, go back to your first video and see if there are any significant changes. Poll your chapter members and ask if they see any differences.
As a shameless plug, start planning now for Directors College 2009, July 26 through August 2 in St. Joseph, MO. In addition to working on hand skills / nonverbal communication, you will learn about sound management, vocal production, how to be a more effective leader, performance skills, and many more. Scholarships are available for all directors, assistant directors, section leaders, and pretty much anyone who stands in front of the chapter who wants to learn more about directing. Contact Mike O’Neill for more information at moneill@barbershop.org.
contents copyright of the author and copyright (c) 7/30/2010
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