Verbal Communication Verbal communication is an essential part of business and when it is executed correctly, good things happen.

Here are a few different ideas and styles to remember when speaking to anyone in a business setting. The basis of communication is the interaction between people. Verbal communication is one way for people to communicate face-to-face. Some of the key components of verbal communication are sound, words, speaking, and language. At birth, most people have vocal cords, which produce sounds. As a child grows it learns how to form these sounds into words. Some words may be imitative of natural sounds, but others may come from expressions of emotion, such as laughter or crying. Words alone have no meaning. Only people can put meaning into words. As meaning is assigned to words, language develops, which leads to the development of speaking. The actual origin of language is subject to considerable speculation. Some theorists believe it is an outgrowth of group activities such as working together or dancing. Others believe that language developed from basic sounds and gestures. Over 3,000 languages and major dialects are spoken in the world today. The development of languages reflects class, gender, profession, age group, and other social factors. The huge variety of languages usually creates difficulties between different languages, but even within a single language there can be many problems in understanding. Through speaking we try to eliminate this misunderstanding, but sometimes this is a very hard thing to do. Just as we assume that our messages are clearly received, so we assume that because something is important to us, it is important to others. As time has proven this is not at all true. Many problems can arise is speaking and the only way to solve these problems is through experience. Speaking can be looked at in two major areas: interpersonal and public speaking. Since the majority of speaking is an interpersonal process, to communicate effectively we must not simply clean up our language, but learn to relate to people. In interpersonal speaking, etiquette is very important. To be an effective communicator one must speak in a manner that is not offending to the receiver. Etiquette also plays an important role in an area that has developed in most all business settings: hierarchical communication. In business today, hierarchical communication is of utmost importance to all members involved. The other major area of speaking is public speaking. From the origin of time, it has been obvious that some people are just better public speakers than others. Because of this, today a good speaker can earn a living by speaking to people in a public setting. Some of the major areas of public speaking are speaking to persuade, speaking to inform, and speaking to inspire or motivate.

Remember that various situations call for different speaking styles, just as various writitng assignments call for different writing styles. Here are four different styles that will suit every occasion: 1. Expressive Style is spontaneous, conversational, and uninhibited. Use this when you are expressing your feelings, joking, complaining, or socializing. For example: "No way am I going to let that nerd force an incentive-pay plan on UPS workers." 2. Directive Style is an authoritative and judgemental style. We use this style to give orders, exert leadership, pass judgement, or state our opinions.For example: "I want Mike Romig to explain the new pay plan to each manager." 3.Problem-Solving Style is rational, objective, unbiased, and bland. This is the style most commonly used in business dealings. We use it when we are solving problems and conveying routine information.For example: "Stacy Lee might be able to present the plan more favorably." 4. Meta Style is used to discuss the communication process itself. Meta language enable us to talk about our interactions.For example: "We seem to be ahving a hard time agreeing on the specifics of the incentive-pay plan." Non-Verbal Commuication Modes What is non-verbal communication? Definition (CBC): nonverbal communication involves those nonverbal stimuli in a communication setting that are generated by both the source [speaker] and his or her use of the environment and that have potential message value for the source or receiver [listener] (Samovar et al). Basically it is sending and receiving messages in a variety of ways without the use of verbal codes (words). It is both intentional and unintentional. Most speakers / listeners are not conscious of this. It includes but is not limited to: Touch,glance,eye contact (gaze),volume,vocal nuance,proximity,gestures,facial expression ? pause (silence),intonation,dress,posture,smell,word choice and syntax,sounds (paralanguage) Broadly speaking, there are two basic categories of non-verbal language: nonverbal messages produced by the body; nonverbal messages produced by the broad setting (time, space, silence) Why is non-verbal communication important? Basically, it is one of the key aspects of communication (and especially important in a high-context culture). It has multiple functions: Used to repeat the verbal message (e.g. point in a direction while stating directions.Often used to accent a verbal message. (e.g. verbal tone indicates the actual meaning of the specific words).

Often complement the verbal message but also may contradict. E.g.: a nod reinforces a positive message (among Americans); a wink may contradict a stated positive message. Regulate interactions (non-verbal cues covey when the other person should speak or not speak). May substitute for the verbal message (especially if it is blocked by noise, interruption, etc) i.e. gestures (finger to lips to indicate need for quiet), facial expressions (i.e. a nod instead of a yes). gghNote the implications of the proverb: Actions speak louder than words. In essence, this underscores the importance of non-verbal communication. Non-verbal communication is especially significant in intercultural situations. Probably non-verbal differences account for typical difficulties in communicating.

Good communication is the foundation of successful relationships, both personally and professionally. But we communicate with much more than words. In fact, research shows that the majority of our communication is nonverbal. Nonverbal communication, or body language, includes our facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, posture, and even the tone of our voice. The ability to understand and use nonverbal communication is a powerful tool that will help you connect with others, express what you really mean, navigate challenging situations, and build better relationships at home and work. The power of nonverbal communication and body language Nonverbal communication, or body language, is a vital form of communication. When we interact with others, we continuously give and receive countless wordless signals. All of our nonverbal behaviorsthe gestures we make, the way we sit, how fast or how loud we talk, how close we stand, how much eye contact we makesend strong messages. The way you listen, look, move, and react tell the other person whether Evaluating your nonverbal communication skills Is this source of connection missing, too intense, or just right in yourself or in Eye contact the person you are looking at? What is your face showing? Is it masklike and unexpressive, or emotionally Facial present and filled with interest? What do you see as you look into the faces of expression others? Tone of voice Does your voice project warmth, confidence, and delight, or is it strained and blocked? What do you hear as you listen to other people? Posture and Does your body look still and immobile, or relaxed? Sensing the degree of tension in your shoulders and jaw answers this question. What do you observe gesture about the degree of tension or relaxation in the body of the person you are speaking to? Remember, what feels good is relative. How do you like to be touched? Who do Touch you like to have touching you? Is the difference between what you like and what the other person likes obvious to you?

Evaluating your nonverbal communication skills Do you or the person you are communicating with seem flat, cool, and Intensity disinterested, or over-the-top and melodramatic? Again, this has as much to do with what feels good to the other person as it does with what you personally prefer. What happens when you or someone you care about makes an important Timing and statement? Does a responsenot necessarily verbalcome too quickly or too pace slowly? Is there an easy flow of information back and forth? Do you use sounds to indicate that you are attending to the other person? Do you Sounds pick up on sounds from others that indicate their caring or concern for you? Source: The Language of Emotional Intelligence, by Jeanne Segal, Ph.D. The point of this exercise is to develop your nonverbal awareness. As you continue to pay attention to the nonverbal cues and signals you send and receive, your ability to communicate will improve. Types of nonverbal communication and body language There are many different types of nonverbal communication. Together, the following nonverbal signals and cues communicate your interest and investment in others.

Facial expressions
The human face is extremely expressive, able to express countless emotions without saying a word. And unlike some forms of nonverbal communication, facial expressions are universal. The facial expressions for happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, fear, and disgust are the same across cultures.

Body movements and posture

Gestures
Gestures are woven into the fabric of our daily lives. We wave, point, beckon, and use our hands when were arguing or speaking animatedlyexpressing ourselves with gestures often without thinking. However, the meaning of gestures can be very different across cultures and regions, so its important to be careful to avoid misinterpretation.

Eye contact
Since the visual sense is dominant for most people, eye contact is an especially important type of nonverbal communication. The way you look at someone can communicate many things,

including interest, affection, hostility, or attraction. Eye contact is also important in maintaining the flow of conversation and for gauging the other persons response.

Touch
We communicate a great deal through touch. Think about the messages given by the following: a firm handshake, a timid tap on the shoulder, a warm bear hug, a reassuring pat on the back, a patronizing pat on the head, or a controlling grip on your arm.

Space
Have you ever felt uncomfortable during a conversation because the other person was standing too close and invading your space? We all have a need for physical space, although that need differs depending on the culture, the situation, and the closeness of the relationship. You can use physical space to communicate many different nonverbal messages, including signals of intimacy, aggression, dominance, or affection.

Voice
We communicate with our voices, even when we are not using words. Nonverbal speech sounds such as tone, pitch, volume, inflection, rhythm, and rate are important communication elements. When we speak, other people read our voices in addition to listening to our words. These nonverbal speech sounds provide subtle but powerful clues into our true feelings and what we really mean. Think about how tone of voice, for example, can indicate sarcasm, anger, affection, or confidence.