How else do we communicate?

I wish I has a better or more catchy title than that! But communication is what we are talking about this month. It tends to be brushed to the side a bit this one, after all we all speak to one and other don’t we and isn’t that communication?

Yes, it is but that is only the tip of the iceberg!

93% of what we communicate is nonverbal.

I may need to write that again – 93% of what we communicate is nonverbal.

So, yes talking is communicating, and it is important, but it only makes of 7% of communication. When you look at it this way it kind of makes the other 93% more important to learn doesn’t it.

I work with one business that works in the 93% area. Although there are no disabilities involved what is communicated through her work is mostly nonverbal. And this business has been built around her ability to be able to do this extremely well.

So, what is nonverbal? It is exactly what it says and so much more. Have a think about it, when you have a headache and you rub your head, you are communicating that you have a sore head. When you have any angry face, you are telling people that they are taking on a risk by speaking to you. These are simple and easy ones.

Let’s look at it in more detail. Remember when you were a kid, and your brother or sister would copy everything you did and said – how annoying was that!? As annoying as it may have been, copying what you did could have changed your behaviour. There are many different examples of this, but it is called Mirror Neurons. Mirror Neurons are activated when someone is copying you, not in an annoying manner, but when they are playing a key role in empathizing with you. Through mirror neurons you can change a person’s mood, or what they are doing. It is a strong form of communication.

I want to give you a little task. Next time you are at work I want you to focus on the nonverbals. Try and pick up on how people communicate without words. The more you being to notice the more you will be communicating yourself and the flow on affects from this are almost instantaneous. With stronger communication skills, you are more productive, you are more confident, you build stronger relationships, there are so many rewards from just learning how to communicate in the nonverbal space.

If you are after more information on different communications styles in the nonverbal space or you would like to learn this skill, please do not hesitate to reach out.