3.1 NON - VERBAL COMMUNICATION Non-Verbal Communication is the process of conveying meaning without using words either written or spoken. In other words, any communication made between two or more persons through the use of facial expressions, hand movements, body language, postures, and gestures is called non-verbal communication. Non-Verbal Communication, unlike verbal communication, helps establish and maintain interpersonal relationships while the verbals only help in communicating external events. People use non-verbals to express emotions and interpersonal attitudes, conduct rituals such as greetings, and bring forward individual personalities. Non-verbal communication in the form of signals, and expressions add meaning over the verbals and help people to communicate more efficiently. It supplements whatever is said in words, such as people nodding to acknowledge and moving their hands to give directions. Non-verbal communication defines the distance between the communicators and helps them to exchange their emotional state of mind. Also, it regulates the flow of communication, for example, an individual can give signals to convey that he had finished speaking or else he wants to speak. Sometimes, non-verbal acts as a barrier to communicating effectively as the recipient could not understand what the sender is trying to say and may misinterpret it. Nonverbal Communication Examples Think of all the ways you communicate nonverbally in your own life. You can find examples of nonverbal communication at home, at work, and in other situations. Nonverbal Communication at Home Consider all the ways that tone of voice might change the meaning of a sentence when talking with a family member. One example is when you ask your partner how they are doing and they respond with, "I'm fine." How they say these words reveals a tremendous amount about how they are truly feeling. A bright, happy tone of voice would suggest that they are doing quite well. A cold tone of voice might suggest that they are not fine but don't wish to discuss it. A somber, downcast tone might indicate that they are the opposite of fine but may want to talk about why. Other examples of nonverbal communication at home include: ● Going to your partner swiftly when they call for you (as opposed to taking your time or not responding at all) ● Greeting your child with a smile when they walk into the room to show that you're happy to see them ● Leaning in when your loved one speaks to show that you are listening and that you are interested in what they're saying ● Shoving your fist into the air when you're upset that something isn't working Nonverbal Communication in the Workplace You can also find nonverbal communication in the workplace. Examples of this include: ● Looking co-workers in the eye when speaking with them to be fully engaged in the interaction ● Throwing your hands in the air when you are frustrated with a project ● Using excitement in your voice when leading work meetings to project your passion for a specific topic ● Walking down the hall with your head held high to convey confidence in your abilities Nonverbal Communication in Other Situations ● Here are a few additional examples of nonverbal communication that say a lot without you having to say anything at all: ● Greeting an old friend at a restaurant with a hug, handshake, or fist bump ● Placing your hand on someone's arm when they are talking to you at a party to convey friendliness or concern ● Rolling your eyes at someone who is chatting excessively with a store clerk as a line begins to form ● Scowling at someone who has cut you off in traffic, or "flipping them the bird" How to Improve Your Nonverbal Communication Skills If you want to develop more confident body language or improve your ability to read other people's nonverbal communication behaviors, these tips can help: ● Pay attention to your own behaviors: Notice the gestures you use when you're happy versus when you're upset. Think about how you change the tone of your voice depending on the emotions you are feeling. Being aware of your own nonverbal communication tendencies is the first step to changing the ones you want to change. It can also give you insight into how you're feeling if you're having trouble putting it into words. ● Become a student of others: It can also be helpful to consider how others around you communicate nonverbally. What do their facial expressions say? What type of gestures do they use? Becoming familiar with their nonverbal communication patterns helps you recognize when they might be feeling a certain way quicker because you're actively watching for these cues. It can also help you recognize nonverbal behaviors you may want to adopt yourself (such as standing tall when talking to others to display self-confidence). ● Look for incongruent nonverbal cues: Do you say that you're fine, then slam cupboard doors to show that you're upset? This can give those around you mixed messages. Or maybe when someone is speaking with you, they are saying yes while shaking their head no. This is another example of incongruent behavior. Both can be signs of feeling a certain way but not yet being ready to admit or discuss it. ● Think before you act: If your middle finger seems to automatically fly up when a car cuts you off—even if your young child is in the back seat, causing you to regret it as soon as it happens—you can work to stop this reaction. Train yourself to stop and think before you act. This can help you eliminate or replace nonverbal behaviors that you've been wanting to change. ● Ask before you assume: Certain types of nonverbal communication can mean different things in different cultures. They can also vary based on someone's personality. Before assuming that a person's body language or tone means something definitively, ask. "I notice that you won't look me in the eye when we speak. Are you upset with me?" Give them the opportunity to explain how they are feeling so you know for sure. 3.2 GROUP DISCUSSIONS What Is a Group Discussion? A group discussion is a discussion between a group of participants on a given subject. A group discussion typically forms a part of the selection process used by organizations and educational institutions. The candidates talk about the given topic to present facts, opinions, and conclusions. Employers use this technique to screen candidates and assess their soft skills. In a typical group discussion activity, the panelists or moderators will introduce themselves and give you instructions about the process. The group will then get about 10-15 minutes to think and prepare about the subject and approximately 30 minutes to discuss it. The time limits can vary from process to process. Panelists use an evaluation sheet for rating the performance of the candidates based on a predetermined marking rubric. What Are The Types Of Group Discussions? Group discussions are of the following types: 1. Factual group discussions: These group discussions are about practical things and judge how a candidate processes information and analyses day-to-day topics or socio-economic issues. 2. Opinion-based group discussions: These group discussions test how candidates put forward their opinions and views. These group discussions are less about facts and more about opinions. 3. Case study-based group discussions: These group discussions simulate real-life situations. The panelists give the group the details of a hypothetical situation and then the group has to resolve the situation together. 4. Abstract group discussions: These group discussions are about intangible topics. In these, the interviewers observe if a candidate can handle the given topic with lateral thinking and creativity. Importance Of Group Discussion Group discussions are important because they help the evaluator: ● To judge whether the candidate is fit for the job ● To test whether the candidate is a good team player In a group discussion, the panelists evaluate the following skills to check the performance of a candidate: 1. Subject knowledge: The first thing that employers test is your expertise in the role's subject area. For example, if you apply for a sales position, the employers expect you to have in-depth knowledge of their products and sales process. 2. Creativity/Originality: Some jobs require innovative ideas and out-of-the-box solutions. In such cases, the panelists may employ group activities to check your creativity and originality of ideas in a group. 3. Voice: Communication skills include tone, volume and pitch control, and your style of delivery. This skill is essential in customer-facing roles and in regular interaction with your peers and seniors. Employers check for an assertive approach, authoritative voice, clarity in speech, and audible tone in a typical group discussion. 4. Body language: In a workplace, your body language speaks volumes about your actions and temperament. So, during a group discussion, panelists judge your hand gestures and head movements along with the expressions on your face. They also give high ratings for a professional outlook and a confident, straight posture. 5. Fluency: Fluency in speech is a critical skill for sales jobs or customer service roles. Speaking with effective pauses without stuttering or stammering can captivate an audience and make them listen carefully. That is why many employers test this ability simultaneously while checking your speech