Body Language – Communication beyond words

Course overview

Have you ever interacted with a person who said something but meant something else? All of us have had such interactions at some point in time. Fact is that the true intention of communication can be reveled by many ways other than words. Body language, facial expressions, voice, handshake, eye contact, gestures, postures, the use of space and timing, tone, mannerisms are few ways to communicate without words.

In 1967 Professor Albert Mehrabian formulated the 7-39-55% communication rule after two pioneering studies. The finding of the studies was that people arrive at conclusion 7% based on words, 38% on the tone and 55% on the facial expression. From this experiment it is evident that people convey their true feelings more by nonverbal clues than by spoken words. This rule is limiting because of the nature of it’s sample size, however it has successfully highlighted the vital role of nonverbal communication in the expression of feelings and emotional state of the communicator.

Nonverbal clues help to communicate the message and also go a long way in increasing trust, deepening clarity and building rapport. At the same time our nonverbal clues can confuse, offend and undermine our message. Consciously and unconsciously, we are always giving and receiving wordless signals. Infact the way we listen, look, move and react can make or break personal relationships and professional deals.

If we want to be better communicators we need to become more sensitive and aware of the verbal and nonverbal messages of others and also our own.

Learning Objectives

This “Communication beyond words” aims to achieve the following objectives:

• Understanding the meaning of nonverbal communication and body language
• Types of nonverbal communication
• Decoding nonverbal communication
• The power and impact of nonverbal communication
• How to improve nonverbal communication

Our Unique Training Methodology

• Interactive discussions
• Roleplays
• Simulation of voice and facial expressions
• Experience sharing

Training Medium

The training on “Communication beyond words” is designed in a way that it can be delivered face to face and virtually.

Pre-course Assessment

All participants are required to read the 2018 Forbes article on “The Power of mindful nonverbal communication”. Participants are also expected to read the Nov 2022 article by BBC on “How nonverbal communication is going digital”. One article was published before the pandemic and the other was published post the pandemic. The articles highlight the importance and differences in nonverbal communications before and after the pandemic and provide a good starting point for the training.

Course Modules

Module 1: Introduction and Ice Breaker

Every participant needs to introduce themselves and mention a recent scenario at workplace when nonverbal communication was contradictory to the verbal communication. Participants will also explain briefly the impact this communication had on them as a receiver of the communication.

Module 2: Understanding the types of nonverbal communication and body language

• Facial expressions
• Body posture
• Gestures
• Eye contact while speaking and listening
• Touch (pat or handshake)
• Use of space
• Voice modulation

Module 3: Use of nonverbal communication – by Edward G. Wertheim, Ph.D.

• Repetition
• Contradiction
• Substitution
• Complementing
• Accenting

Module 4: Demonstration of nonverbal scenario at work

• Demonstration 1 – two male colleagues
• Demonstration 2 – two female colleagues
• Demonstration 3 – one male and one female colleague

Module 5: How to decode body language

• Mirroring
• Smiles and frowns
• Proximity
• Head movement
• Hand gestures
• Eyes and eyebrows

Module 6: How to improve nonverbal communication and body language

• Self-awareness
• Knowing your audience
• Be open and uncross your arms
• Be comfortable and don’t shake your legs
• Regular breathing and relaxed muscles
• No fidgeting
• Say no to your phone

Module 7: Nonverbal communication and body language in virtual meetings

The global pandemic has exponentially raised the number of virtual meetings that all of us are involved in. In this module participants will learn how to portray their authentic self impactfully in virtual meetings. Our personal grooming like hair styles, clothes and accessories and virtual backgrounds and lighting play a critical role in virtual meetings.

Post-course Assessment

At the end of the training every participant will list down which nonverbal clue have they become more aware of in their communication.

Spend time in reflecting if they are overusing or underusing any nonverbal communication style.

Lessons Learned

The Training Bee takes pride in identifying the most critical training requirements of the workplace and curating training programs that are forward looking. The aim of this “Communication beyond words” is to help participants understand the importance of nonverbal communication and body language. The training also helps participants learn to leverage nonverbal communication skills to their advantage.

Our team of competent trainers, research the present and future workplace trends across industries and geographies and deliver information, knowledge and tools to overcome the challenges of tomorrow. This preemptive outlook differentiates our course design, its delivery and keeps our clients asking for more.