what is body language and why is it imoportant in communication

Body language is a form of communication through physical behaviors, like facial expressions, posture, and gestures. These nonverbal cues can reveal a lot about a person's emotions and intentions, even if they contradict what's being said. By understanding body language, we can improve our social interactions, build stronger relationships, and get a better read on the situations we encounter throughout the day.

1. Communication is simply the act of transferring
information from one place to another.

2. Communication is the sharing of
messages between individuals.
It may be transmitted orally,
by the written word or by the
use of body language.

3. There are different
categories of
communication:
•Spoken or Verbal Communication: face-to-face, telephone, radio or
television and other media.
•Non-Verbal Communication: body language, gestures, how we dress
or act -even our scent.
•Written Communication: letters, e-mails, books, magazines, the
Internet or via other media.
•Visualizations: graphs and charts, maps, logos and other visualizations
can communicate messages.

4. ENCODING MESSAGES
•All messages must be encoded into a form that can be conveyed
by the communication channel chosen for the message.

5. COMMUNICATION CHANNEL
•Choosing an appropriate communication channelis vital for effective communication
as each communication channel has different strengths and weaknesses.

6. DECODING MESSAGES
•Once received, the receiver/s need to decode the message.
Successful decoding is also a vital communication skill.

7. FEEDBACK
•Receivers of messages are likely to provide feedback on how
they have understood the messages through both verbal and non-
verbal reactions

8. •Personal space

10. BODY LANGUAGE
UNDERSTAND OTHERS AND ADAPT
YOUR OWN!
Your Name

11. BODY LANGUAGE PROBLEMS
Their Signal
Interpretation
Our Signal
Interpretation
Awareness &
Imbalance
Attitude

12. Five
C’s
Context
Clusters
CongruenceConsistency
Culture

13. GESTURES
Arm Barriers Palm Gestures Handshakes
Hand & Thumb Hand to Face Eye Signals

14. ARM BARRIERS
The crossed arm gesture is
demonstrated by the arms
being neatly folded across
the chest to protect the
heart, lungs and other vital
organs.

15. The Thumbs-Up Arm
Cross is demonstrated by
taking the crossed arm
stance and then turning
the thumbs vertically up.
ARM BARRIERS

16. PALM GESTURES
Open or Submissive Dominant
Aggressive

17. HANDSHAKES
Both hands verticalHand palm down Hand palm up

18. DIFFERENT HANDSHAKES
Bone Crusher
Dead Fish
Hand Hug
FingertipsPush Away
Pull In

19. HAND & THUMB GESTURES
Rubbing
Hands
Steeple
Hands
Clenched
Hands
Grip Hand
at Back
Thumbs
Up / Out

20. HAND TO FACE GESTURES
…or How to Spot a Liar!

21. HAND TO FACE QUIZ
1
Mouth Cover
2
Nose Touch
3
Eye Rub
4
Ear Rub
5
Neck Scratch
6
Collar Pull
Lying Lying Lying
Lying Lying Lying

22. CHIN & CHEEK GESTURES
Chin rests on open hand,
which is taking the full weight
of the head.
Closed hand resting on cheek
with index finger pointing
upwards.
Index finger points up the
cheek, whilst the thumb
supports chin.
Hand strokes the chin, person
leans forward with open body
gesture.
Hand strokes the chin; person
sits back with arms and legs
crossed.
1 2
3 4
5

23. PUPIL DILATION
Negative or
Unhappy –
Pupils Contract
Excited or
Happy –
Pupils Dilate

24. THE GAZE
To build good rapport with someone, your gaze should meet
theirs 60-70% of time
If they meet your gaze for more than two thirds of the time
it can mean one of two things
They find you interesting or
appealing
(the pupils will be dilated)
They are hostile to you and may
be issuing a challenge
(the pupils will be contracted)
If a person is being dishonest or keeping information from
you they will meet your eyes less than one third of the time

25. DIRECTED GAZE
Business
Gaze
Social
Gaze
Intimate
Gaze

26. EYE ACCESSING CUES
Visually
Remembered
Auditory
Remembered
Auditory
(internal
dialogue)
Visually
Constructed
Auditory
Constructed
Kinaesthetic
A person’s eye movement, shown as you face them

27. BRINGING IT ALL
TOGETHER

28. •Gesture:Walking with hands in pockets, shoulders
hunched
Meaning:Dejection
•Gesture:Hand to cheek
Meaning:Evaluation, thinking
•Gesture:Touching, slightly rubbing nose
Meaning:Rejection, doubt, lying
•Gesture:Rubbing the eye
Meaning:Doubt, disbelief
•Gesture:Hands clasped behind back
Meaning:Anger, frustration, apprehension

29. •Gesture:Locked ankles
Meaning:Apprehension
•Gesture:Head resting in hand, eyes downcast
Meaning:Boredom
•Gesture:Rubbing hands
Meaning:Anticipation
•Gesture:Sitting with hands clasped behind head, legs crossed
Meaning:Confidence, superiority
•Gesture:Open palm
Meaning:Sincerity, openness, innocence

30. •Gesture:Pinching bridge of nose, eyes closed
Meaning:Negative evaluation
•Gesture:Tapping or drumming fingers
Meaning:Impatience
•Gesture:Steeplingfingers
Meaning:Authoritative
•Gesture:Patting/fondling hair
Meaning:Lack of self-confidence; insecurity
•Gesture:Quickly tilted head
Meaning:Interest

31. •Gesture:Stroking chin
Meaning:Trying to make a decision
•Gesture:Looking down, face turned away
Meaning:Disbelief
•Gesture:Biting nails
Meaning:Insecurity, nervousness
•Gesture:Pulling or tugging at ear
Meaning:Indecision
•Gesture:Prolonged tilted head
Meaning:Boredom

32. PASSIVE, AGGRESSIVE,
ASSERTIVE
COMMUNICATION

33. PASSIVE COMMUNICATION
•When using passive communication, an individual does not express their
needs or feelings
•Passive individuals often do not respond to hurtful situations, and instead
allow themselves to be taken advantage of or the be treated unfairly
•Traits of Passive Communication
•Poor eye contact
•Allows others to infringe upon their rights
•Softly spoken
•Allows others to take advantage

34. AGGRESSIVE COMMUNICATION
•Aggressive communicators violate the rights of others when
expressing their own feelings and needs.
•They may be verbally abusive to further their own interests
•Traits of Aggressive Communication
•Use of criticism, humiliation, and domination
•Frequent interruptions and failure to listen to others
•Easily frustrated
•Speaking in a loud or overbearing manner

35. ASSERTIVE COMMUNICATION
•With assertive communication, an individual expresses their feelings
and needs in a way that also respects the rights of others.
•This mode of communication displays respect for each individual
who is engaged in the exchange
•Traits of Assertive Communication
•Listens without interrupting
•Clearly states needs and wants
•Stands up for personal rights
•Good eye contact