Body Language and Why it Matters
Body language is an effective way to communicate along side, and in some cases without the pairing of verbal communication. Confidence and other emotions are generally projected through a persons body language. This projection influences the perception of those that are being communicated to or with. There are those that feel as if body language does not matter and that nonverbal communication is typically culturally dependent. I do agree with the cultural aspect of that argument; that cultural differences and generalizations are vital in nonverbal communication efforts. However in the current day and age, new generations are losing sight of social realities. This social disconnection includes body language as well as other basic social interaction skills and principles. Saying that body language doesn't have an impact on a persons day to day life is an idea that does not carry general support of researchers on the subject, nor my own.
Personal Bias:
In the last year, I have been developing a small business. This development involves meetings between myself and the owners and operators of other small businesses to develop strategies while acquiring contracts. During these meetings, presentation has been key to my success in acquisition of clients and furthermore contracts. In my experience, nonverbal communication which includes everything from handshakes, eye contact, posture, and everything in-between has a great effect in regards to effective communication and therefor intended outcome.
New generations are losing sight of the value and importance of nonverbal communication skills. With the rise of technology and the communication that done through new technologies such as smartphones, there is a lack of interpersonal communication skills throughout a vast number of the younger population. Young population in-fact may believe that communication skills may not be as important as they have been in the past. This view may be had because of the lack of face to face communication that takes place in both the business world as well as the professional world. For example, no longer does a person have to introduce themselves in a personal setting to secure a date with someone. There are websites for casual dating such as tinder, and not-so casual such as match.com. Theses technological innovations not only restrict and eliminate the amount of communication that people have had in the past, but they cripple the educational development that comes from basic interaction such as introducing yourself to a prospective date.
So What?:
With education comes power and respect, and relaying improper body language in a multicultural communication situation will certainly bring those not educated on the topic less respect and therefor power. Everyone, whether in a multicultural communication situation, communicates in one way or another. For this reason, understanding basic nonverbal communication skills such as body language give a communicator the ability to relay information in a efficient and respectful manner. This education and furthermore efficiency in body language skills gives a person the ability to success with much more ease both in their personal pursuits as well as their business efforts.
Do you think body language plays a major roll in communication efforts? Leave a comment with your opinion/comments/concerns!
