Is Body Language Really an Effective Way to Communicate with Employees? Let's Discuss

Body language as a communication tool

"Body language is one of the ways to communicate with employees down the line." Do we need to consider that as effective? Please explain.

Dear Balasubramanian,

As per Wikipedia, "Body language is a type of nonverbal communication in which physical behaviors, as opposed to words, are used to express or convey information. Such behavior includes facial expressions, body posture, gestures, eye movement, touch, and the use of space." The same article in Wikipedia states that "Albert Mehrabian maintains that during a conversation dealing with feelings and attitudes (i.e., like-dislike), 7% of what is communicated is via what is said, 38% is via tone of voice, and the majority, 55%, is via body language."

The origin of body language

The definition and the psychological aspects of body language aside, what is the origin of body language? The origin lies in one's conviction, confidence, and enthusiasm.

Conviction means a firmly held belief or opinion. When a person talks or listens in support of a firmly held belief or opinion, the person's tone changes, and it shows in the body movement. Watch carefully how people communicate when they express their views on political beliefs, family values, etc. It reflects in their body language.

The meaning of confidence is well known, and I do not have to explain it. Confidence depends on one's level of knowledge. The deeper and wider the knowledge, the method of expression changes. When asked a simple question, the job candidate answers the questions quickly. In contrast, if the answer to a question is not known, it reflects in the candidate's tone or facial movements.

Enthusiasm means liveliness in one's action. The liveliness depends on one's interest in the subject. When a person does an activity that he/she likes most, it brings quickness or liveliness to the movements. In contrast, if a person does something which he/she considers "a boring job," it reflects in one's movements.

The importance of body language in the 21st century

In the 21st century, too much emphasis is being given to body language. Occasionally, it is undeserving. A person with "a well-balanced personality" or a well-composed person or the one who has mastered techniques of assertion may not exhibit feelings through his/her body language. Therefore, rather than looking at body language, it is better to look for one's conviction and confidence.

Lately, a lot of communication is taking place through the virtual mode. Video conferences are happening widely. In the video, just a face is visible, and if the camera quality is not that good, then the image could be snowy or blurry. Against this backdrop, how to read the participant's body language? Is tone sufficient to gauge one's body language?

Body language as a means of communication in business

Your question is on whether "Body language is one of the ways to communicate with the employees down the line." Yes, it is one of the ways to communicate down the line, but it has limitations as well. When we say "down the line," in the business scenario, it can be one level below. For example, a General Manager may not communicate below the level of the Managers. The MD might communicate only with the Directors or VPs. Against this backdrop, written communication has more applicability. The message can be passed down the line, and that too without distortion far more easily.

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar

Body language plays an effective role in communication. These include your posture, facial expressions, and hand gestures. Your ability to understand and interpret body language can help you pick up on unspoken issues or negative feelings in others, so we can't ignore it.

Regards, Zyn

There is a term called "Whole Body Communication" - and it is true.

Words, actions, and tone combine to make any communication effective or otherwise.

Why only employees down the line?

Everyone you think you communicate with, or even without thinking you are communicating, you are communicating all the time. Especially with body language. Kids can discern if their parents are serious just by looking at them, even when they appear to be normal. So can your friends, colleagues, and everyone who has some observation power—read that as, keeps his/her eyes and ears open.

Ensuring complete communication

There is a process that I have developed over the years to ensure complete communication, especially when you need to deliver a purposeful message. All you need to do is incorporate the elements given in the enclosed drawing, systematically and specifically (as appropriate, of course) into each of the speeches or communications you want to deliver. This is more appropriate in spoken communication but equally applicable in written communication as well.

The "Target Board"

In the picture is a "Target Board"—as in rifle shooting/darts, etc., where you get points based on where you hit! In preparing a speech, you start at the outermost ring, include those elements, progress inward, and finally, when you have incorporated the elements—not force-fitting, but genuinely sharing information, data, stories, emotions—you will end up with the "Bull's Eye"—The Perfect Speech.