Preview

Body Language in Business Communication

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1032 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Body Language in Business Communication
Body Language in Business Communication

Body language is a non verbal form of communication that is widely used by people in everyday environment. Alone, or in conjunction with the words, body language has a big influence on how we communicate to others. In business world it can cause both positive and negative results in communication. If used properly, body language can help create a friendly atmosphere in any conversation and can significantly enhance your verbal message. It can help win the interview, make a sale, give a successful presentation and profit from business negotiations. Therefore, today’s businesspeople more and more some time studying the different forms of the body language to achieve the maximum positive influence on people. They also do it, so they can better understand people around them as well.

Body language is defined as everything what can be communicated without or in addition to words: facial expressions, physical movements (gestures), posture or silent actions. The study by UCLA (University of California in Los Angeles) showed, that words account for only 7% of the messages person conveys. The remaining 93% are non-verbal factors. As Lidia Ramse, business etiquette expert says: “In the business setting, people can see what you are not saying. If your body language doesn 't match your words, you are wasting your time.” (The Sideroad: Body Language in Business by Lidia Ramse)

In fact, psychologists divide body language in two categories: intentional and unintentional (subconscious). We cannot always verbally express what we feel, so our body language does it for us. At the same time, we can use our body language intentionally to express something without saying a word. It is good to understand that our body language can be also interpreted subconsciously as well. As people do not always pay close attention to what we do, certain actions can trigger a formulation of certain opinion about person. Mary-Lo use



Cited: to Business Communication. Copyright 2006 Rapporta Ltd. Retrieved on 24 July, 2007 from: < http://rapporta.com/press07.htm> “Body Language Rules Biz Travel”. CNN.com/World. 8 July, 2003. Retrieved on 23 July, 2007 from: < http://edition.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/europe/07/08/biz.trav.body.language/index.html> 2004. Retrieved on 22 July, 2007 from: < http://www.brennerbooks.com/bodylang.html> Helenius, D. Tatiana. “Body Language Savvy.” CNN Money. 2007 Cable News Network LP, LLLP HBS Working Knowledge. Vol. 5, No. 8, August 2002. Retrieved on 23 July, 2007 from: < http://hbswk.hbs.edu/archive/3123.html>

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    We communicate as much or maybe more through body language as we do with words. This includes facial expressions, eye contact, our stance or movement of arms, hands and legs. E.g. Effective body communication could be an open body stance, focusing your eyes on the service user or individual. Whereas crossing your arms or legs, sideway glances could block effective communication.…

    • 723 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the daily social life, communication plays an important role in helping individuals to share ideas and strengthen their relationship. Except the words people used in the communication, body language is the other significant part of it. Body language is a special language that people use body changes to cooperate with their words to express feelings and emphasize ideas. Every single body language the person used will affect the result of his conversation, even though he does not aware of it. Obviously, effective as well as decent body language will help them set confidence and support from others. In order to explain how body language works, I choose an interview of Naheed Nenshi who is the mayor of Calgary. By analyzing his body language through the interview, we can see how he reacts with…

    • 858 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Veterinary Office Software

    • 1013 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Body language can say a lot about a person and how they are feeling. Body language is very relevant to management and leadership and can be a good tool to understanding someone. There are some cultural differences in body language however. Something that is…

    • 1013 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Body language can be very efficient. It is use in personal conversation and in business environment. For example a lot of company use they front secretary to spy on candidate that come to job interviewers by watching they body language. A strong handshake can determine someone’s abilities and how confident they are about themselves. Throughout an interview the interviewer will be watching for eye contact because the candidate body language will portray his level of confidence. By just watching someone interacts with others one can come up with the conclusion if that person is friendly or not. How people present themselves is very important because, like they say action speak louder than word. Positive body language can make a big difference on the way other view someone. While listen to a speech body language make a person seen interesting or not paying attentions.…

    • 361 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    They say a picture paints a thousand words, and the same can be said for Body language. Body language definitely plays a big role in influencing communication, by observing body language alone it makes it easy for you toidentify whether somebody shows interest or puts value in what you are saying. It also allows you to make pre judgements about an individual. For instance an audience or an individual can perceive a speaker/someone as arrogant based on the body language he makes and not the content. Making body language a priority for effective communication.…

    • 1622 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Many people have a hard time with communication, and can find it difficult to tell others what they think or to give them bad news. Sometimes, they can’t find the right words to express the things they want to say. Body Language however, is always honest and can always be counted on. Some people who are hard of hearing or talking can use sign languages or facial expression to communicate what they feel.…

    • 3759 Words
    • 16 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Not all communication is speech and writing. Body language takes a surprising large part of how we relay information. 70 – 80% of our communication is body language if you haven’t heard that fact already. So it’s rather important to get it right.…

    • 1130 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Nonverbal communication is part of our everyday life. Body language is a comprehension and communication tool via physical movements and changes that show a person 's feelings, thoughts, and attitudes about other persons and things (Benzer N.P.). In order to determine the meaning of a nonverbal message one must first understand the sender’s personal frame of reference and cultural background, as well as the specific situation. To communicate well it requires great skills. Base on my experience in my job I had to relate some type of information to either my co-supervisors or the people who work for me. Most jobs today require one to have the skills necessary to communicate effectively with others. Nonverbal communication is the process of communicating through sending and receiving wordless messages between people. Although there are numerous elements of nonverbal communication, our personal appearance, facial expressions, body movement, touch, use of voice and even how we communicate with distance and personal space are the main terms that define nonverbal communication.…

    • 1462 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Best Essays

    Martin, M., Whiting, F., & Jackson, T. (2011). Human Resource Practice (5th ed.). Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.…

    • 2278 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    Killaq Enuaraq-Strauss is constantly using body language throughout her video response to Ellen DeGeneres’s statement that seal hunting is cruel and inhumane. Enuaraq-Strauss uses her hands, eyes, mouth, and head to communicate with those who are watching her video. Body language is the movement or position of the body that express a person’s thoughts or feelings. The majority of people use body language to communicate with one another; body language is used in everyday social interactions, including Killaq Enuaraq-Strauss’s video response http://www.businessinsider.com/seal-hunters-ellen-degeneres-selfie-2014-4 to Ellen DeGeneres’s claim that seal hunting is inhumane. Enuaraq-Strauss throughout the entire video is defending Inuit people,…

    • 1016 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The use of body language can be subtle or more demonstrative this would depend on situation that is going on. The person you are communicating with as well as your own style. An effective use of body language, as with other components of communication can help one understand the message you are trying to send. Our…

    • 724 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Social psychologist Amy Cuddy in a talk “Your language shapes who you are” reveals secrets how our body language changes who we are and how other people see us. The professor of Harvard University states, that faking a power poses, even only for 2 minutes can change our mind. Standing in a confidence posture increase our testosterone and cortisone level and stimulate us to became assertive, optimistic and let us think more abstractly. Striking a high-power pose increase our appetite for taking a risk and help our brain to overcome stressful situations. Amy Cuddy claims that “non-verbal language governs how we think and feel about ourselves.” She is very convincing when she declares “faked till you become it”. These small changes in our posture might have impact our chances for success.…

    • 300 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    All types of books have been written with respect to this subject. One book that has been written is Dress for Success. This book holds true, for the way people look and appear has a direct effect on the way people are treated initially. Cultural influences and moral expressions are all included in how people appear to other people. The way people stand, crossing our arms, the way people position themselves while sitting, all these things and more are images of our attitude and the interpersonal language being presented to ourselves and to our team.…

    • 2285 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Facial expressions, head movements, body posture and actions, clothing, mannerisms and personality behaviors are signs of body language. Positive body language in the workplace helps others to perceive you as honest and open to ideas. Usually in the first 30 seconds, most people have already formed an opinion of you.…

    • 735 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    LITERATURE REVIEW PHUONG

    • 786 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Body language use in presentation skill has not been an elusive and nebulous concept for English majors at university. Richard (2012) claimed that, “Body language is a type of nonverbal communication that relies on body movements (such as gestures, posture, and facial expressions) to convey messages”. Body language is a vital form of communication, which can make or break your presentation. It is an essential part of emotional intelligence, which can help you bond with another person, a small group or a large audience (Presentation Prep, 2014). In addition, using body language offers information on using facial gestures and whole body movement to enhance presentation (Toastmaster International, 2011). In sum , regardless of body language’s definitions, it can be straightforwardly identified as the nonverbal communication, which relates to unspoken word and a means to send messages that are “not sanctioned for verbal delivery by our culture” (Wiemann, 1975).…

    • 786 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays