Table of Contents

Abstract ........................................................................................................................... 2
Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 2
Communication Process ........................................................................................................... 2
Verbal communication ...................................................................................................... 3
Non-verbal communication ............................................................................................... 4
Types of non-verbal communication............................................................................... 5-7
Importance of non-verbal communication ......................................................................... 7
Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 8
Blibliography .................................................................................................................... 9

1
Abstract
This assignment's objective is to investigate the significance of non-verbal communication in
the business world, particularly in light of the fact that we are able to communicate with words.
To do so, we will examine the various forms of non-verbal communication used in business
settings with examples, as well as its importance in the workplace.

Introduction
Because communication is vital to every facet of life, it is not surprising that its significance
extends to the professional world as well. Developing great communication skills is just as
essential to the success of the company as producing high-quality content. In order for a
company to be successful, it must have strong communication skills. Communication is the
most important aspect of the corporate organisation.

Conveying ideas and information inside the workplace is crucial. One of the greatest issues
encountered by modern company executives is establishing and maintaining open lines of
communication with their staff, especially in light of the rise of remote work and distributed
workspaces.

Communication Process

Sender Receiver
Message
Message
-Receive
-Create
-Decode
-Encode

Barriers
-Environment
-Personal

Feedback Feedback
-Receive -Create
-Decode -Encode

Figure 1. The Communication Process (Borkowski, 2011)

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Verbal communication
Speaking aloud with one another is an example of verbal communication in its most basic form.
Whenever you have a conversation with a co-worker in person online, you are exercising your
verbal communication abilities.

When two people have vastly different communication styles, it might be difficult for them to
understand one another. Employees in a company setting need to be able to adapt to the unique
needs of both expatriates and people with disabilities. Also, it's important to understand the
value of cultural diversity in the workplace and how it may help you connect with others more
effectively.

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Non-verbal communication

The element of communication that is not represented through words is often referred to as
non-verbal communication. Considering that "one cannot not communicate" (Watzlawick et
al., 1967, 51). In other words, non-verbal communication is any communication between two
or more people that involves the use of facial expressions, hand gestures, body movements,
postures, and expressions.

In contrast to verbal communication, which merely serves the purpose of conveying

information about the outside world, non-verbal communication contributes to the formation
and upkeep of bonds between individuals. People employ a variety of non-verbal indications
in order to carry out greeting rituals, express their emotions and approaches to interpersonal
interactions, and display their personalities.

Statistically speaking, just 7% of communication is verbal, while the remaining 93% is non-
verbal. University of California, Los Angeles psychologist Albert Mehrabian found that tone
of voice accounted for just 38% of communication but that body language and facial
expressions accounted for 55%. (UC Path Centre).

It doesn't matter whether you're presenting a presentation at a meeting, chatting with co-
workers in the hallway, or having a conversation with your boss in his or her office; non-verbal
communication has an effect on all of these types of encounters. Non-verbal communication is
essential in many aspects of social interaction, including lunches, office parties, and activities
that take place after work. (UC Path Centre)

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Types of non-verbal communication in the business setting
i. Paralinguistic
A significant component of non-verbal communication is the method in which
information other than what needs to be expressed may be conveyed. The employment
of appropriate emphasis, tone, intonation, speaking style, and tone of voice are all
components of this mode of communication. For instance, in an office setting, when
daily morning meetings are conducted to review the status of the work being completed
by workers, the manager states that he is happy and that the work is going smoothly but
maintains a solemn demeanour. The look on his face gives the impression that he is
furious and upset as a result of the poor performance of some of his workers or there
may be other factors which might be upsetting him.

ii. Body language

Without making a peep, some areas of the body may be utilised to convey messages.
As the name implies, body language refers to the non-verbal means of communication
in which a message is conveyed by physical gestures. Posture, emotion, gestures, eyes,
gaze, and touch are all examples. For example, if participants slump in their chairs
during a corporate training session, it may seem that they are disengaged or even
exhausted.

iii. Proximity
The phrase "personal space" is often used by people. This is a kind of non-verbal
communication called proximity.

The amount of space we need and the amount of space we feel is ours depends on a
number of factors. Some examples include social norms, cultural norms, environmental
factors, individual characteristics, and the number of people with whom one is
acquainted. (Kendra Cherry, 2022)

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iv. Personal appearance
A person's outward appearance may tell you a lot about them, including their age, sex,
height, weight, and physical traits.
Historically, people have been judged in large part based on their hairstyle. (Anthony
Urbaniak, n.d, 13-14.). Let’s take the example of Airlines. There has always been an
emphasis on how presentable flight attendants are in the airline industry. Proper
grooming, cleanliness, and a professional demeanour go a long way toward ensuring a
pleasant ride for customers and establishing trust in the service provided. (Cabin Crew
HQ, 2022)

v. Eye contact
It is critical to demonstrate that a person is involved in a discussion by giving their
colleague his undivided attention. Making honest, confident eye contact is an important
ability to have in business dealings.

A person who avoids eye contact may seem indifferent, uneasy, or even shifty. It may
be tough to persuade someone to alter their mind once they've developed such negative
impressions in business, so make an effort to maintain eye contact and pay great
attention to the person you're interacting with, whether they're a customer, client, or
employee. For example, if you are having a discussion with a co-worker and the latter
is gazing at his phone rather than establishing eye contact, this indicates that he or she
is not paying attention to the speaker.

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 vi. Visual communication
The process of conveying information via the use of visual aids is known as visual
communication. Vision is essential for the process of receiving and analysing images
in visual communication. Visual help may take many forms, including advertising,
animation, illustration, graphic design, typography, drawing, and industrial design, to
name a few.

Visual communication makes use of a variety of mediums and formats, including

graphs, charts, photos, signs, signals, and symbols. It is possible that the two of them,
when combined, will provide an expression that cannot be matched by words alone.
Investigating the idea that integrating a visual message with text or audio has the ability
to educate and influence a person or audience more effectively is the focus of the field
of visual communication. In a business setting, signs such as "Keep the door closed",
"No smoking,", “Silence” and so on are examples of visual communication.

Importance of non-verbal communication in the business setting

When it comes to a job's productivity and success, efficient communication is very necessary.
Without it, projects would never be accomplished, and important interactions with potential
customers and clients would never take place. The ability to convey your knowledge and
attitude to your supervisors, employees, and customers through non-verbal communication is
equally as important. Even if you don't speak a word, if you have a better understanding of the
value of non-verbal communication, you'll be able to say more with greater awareness.

The statement "We cannot not communicate" aptly captures the significance of nonverbal
communication and its role in human interaction. Every single one of our movements has the
potential to betray us in some manner, and this is especially true if our nonverbal
communication does not correspond to what we are saying. When this occurs, others will
believe what they see, which might give the impression that we are dishonest, unprofessional,
or disinterested in the job that we do. Understanding some of the most fundamental ways in
which our nonverbal communication might be misunderstood can assist us in being able to
more effectively convey what we intend and ensure that what we say is understood. (Kenya
McCullum 2009, 28)

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Conclusion

It is clear, therefore, how vital it is for employees to be able to communicate effectively with
one another at work, both verbally and non-verbally. This therefore contradicts the statement
“Non-verbal communication isn’t required in the business setting when we can use words to
communicate.”

When it comes to the success of a company, verbal communication plays a function not
dissimilar to that of non-verbal communication. It is important for people to assess their current
level of communication ability and work toward improving it while also being aware of any
drawbacks they may have.

The two forms of interaction are equally valuable since they may be used to foster an
understanding between parties and lead to positive, mutually fulfilling outcomes.

Our emotions are conveyed through non-verbal communication, while our meaning is
conveyed through vocal exchange.

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Bibliography

1. Borkowski, N. (2011), Organizational Behavior in Health Care Second Edition, Jones

and Barlett Publishers, LLC, pp. 72–72.

2. Watzlawick 1967 Beavin Jackson Pragmatics of Human Communication .

50-51. Available from : https://www.scribd.com/document/225401885/95625504-
Watzlawick-1967-Beavin-Jackson-Pragmatics-of-Human-Communication .

3. https://ucpathjobs.org/working-at-uc/nonverbal-communication-matters-
workplace/

4. Kendra Cherry. Verywell mind. Article available at :

https://www.verywellmind.com/types-of-nonverbal-communication-2795397 09
August 2022

5. Anthony Urbaniak , n.d., ‘Non-verbal communication in selling’ .Supervision, Vol. 66

Issue 6, p13-15. [Jun2005. Available at:
https://web.p.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=11&sid=1719295d-
88bd-451b-9953-a0b07eb1753d%40redis

6. Cabin Crew HQ. Available from: https://cabincrewhq.com/things-never-to-say/

7. McCullum, K (n.d,.). ‘A Way Without Words’. OfficePRO Vol. 69 Issue 4, p28-28

[May 2009]. Available at:
https://web.p.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=10&sid=aa33afec-
a794-4e1a-91b4-82052d4b3cef%40redis